MLS - Master of Library and Information Science Systems and Technology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which metadata schema is most widely used for describing digital objects in institutional repositories?
- Dublin Core (Correct answer)
- MARC 21
- EAD
- VRA Core
Correct answer: Dublin Core
Dublin Core is the most widely adopted metadata schema for digital repositories due to its simplicity, flexibility, and broad interoperability across systems and disciplines.
Question 2: What is the primary role of an Integrated Library System (ILS)?
- To manage social media outreach for library services
- To automate and integrate core library functions such as cataloging, circulation, and acquisitions (Correct answer)
- To provide remote desktop access to library staff computers
- To generate statistical reports on patron demographics
Correct answer: To automate and integrate core library functions such as cataloging, circulation, and acquisitions
An ILS consolidates essential library operations — including cataloging, circulation, acquisitions, and serials management — into a single unified platform, replacing separate manual processes.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Z39.50 protocol in library systems?
- Encrypting patron records during transmission
- Enabling federated search across multiple library catalogs using a standardized query language (Correct answer)
- Streaming multimedia content to library patrons
- Managing interlibrary loan billing transactions
Correct answer: Enabling federated search across multiple library catalogs using a standardized query language
Z39.50 is a client-server protocol that allows one system to query and retrieve bibliographic records from another system using a common communication standard, enabling cross-catalog searching.
Question 4: In library technology, what does FRBR stand for?
- Federated Repository and Bibliographic Retrieval
- Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (Correct answer)
- Format Rules for Boolean Resource-sets
- Framework for Reference and Bibliographic Research
Correct answer: Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records
FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records) is a conceptual entity-relationship model developed by IFLA that defines relationships among works, expressions, manifestations, and items.
Question 5: Which open-source library services platform is built natively around linked data principles?
- Koha
- Symphony
- FOLIO (Correct answer)
- Alma
Correct answer: FOLIO
FOLIO is an open-source library services platform designed from the ground up with a microservices architecture and linked data support, distinguishing it from legacy ILS platforms.
Question 6: What is the function of an OpenURL resolver in a library technology environment?
- To create permanent identifiers for digital objects
- To link a citation to full-text resources available through the library's subscriptions (Correct answer)
- To harvest metadata from open access repositories
- To authenticate users via single sign-on
Correct answer: To link a citation to full-text resources available through the library's subscriptions
An OpenURL resolver takes structured metadata from a citation (such as author, title, ISSN) and routes the user to the appropriate full-text source based on the library's licensed content, bridging discovery and access.
MLS - Master of Library and Information Science Systems and Technology 1
Which metadata schema is most widely used for describing digital objects in institutional repositories?