MLS - Master of Library and Information Science Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield MLS - Master of Library and Information Science facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. The MUSTIE criteria used in weeding stands for Misleading, Ugly, Superseded, Trivial, Irrelevant, and: → Elsewhere available
2. Living entities known as microscopic organisms are too small to be seen naturally, but they can be viewed with the help of → Microscope
3. In digital preservation, what does the OAIS (Open Archival Information System) model call the package of content submitted by a producer to the archive? → Submission Information Package (SIP)
4. Which metadata schema was specifically developed to describe digital resources and improve web resource discovery? → Dublin Core
5. Which vocabulary encoding scheme provides standardized terms for the type of content in a resource? → DCMI Type Vocabulary
6. In library human resources management, what is the primary purpose of a performance appraisal? → To provide structured feedback and support employee professional development
7. What does OAIS stand for in the context of digital preservation? → Open Archival Information System
8. Which U.S. program, led by the Library of Congress, focuses on building a national network for digital preservation? → National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP)
9. A cataloger is describing a streaming video. Which RDA media type and carrier type are most appropriate? → Computer / online resource
10. Which ethical principle is most directly supported by a library's decision to provide free internet access and computer terminals to all patrons? → Bridging the digital divide through equitable access
11. In information science, what is a controlled vocabulary? → A standardized set of terms used for indexing and retrieval
12. In a MARC 21 bibliographic record, which field is designated for the main title statement of a resource? → 245
13. Which reference interview technique involves restating or paraphrasing a patron's question back to them to confirm understanding? → Reflective clarification
14. In linked data publishing, what is the role of a URI in identifying library resources? → It provides a globally unique, dereferenceable identifier for each resource
15. Which type of collection analysis compares a library's holdings against a standard bibliography or peer institution's catalog? → Comparative or benchmarking analysis
16. Which metadata schema is most commonly used for describing digital resources in libraries? → Dublin Core
17. What is the main advantage of a cloud-based library services platform over a traditional on-premise ILS? → Reduced local IT infrastructure requirements and automatic updates
18. What does the CREW method (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding) emphasize? → Ongoing systematic evaluation using specific criteria such as age, condition, and usage
19. What is a Submission Information Package (SIP) in OAIS terminology? → The information package submitted by a content producer to an archive during ingest
20. In RDA cataloging, what is the term for a person, family, or corporate body associated with a resource? → Agent
21. Which open-source library services platform is built natively around linked data principles? → FOLIO
22. The elements of the International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI) are: → 16 digits
23. Which change management model describes an 'unfreeze-change-refreeze' process? → Lewin's Change Management Model
24. Which metadata schema was specifically developed to support documentation of digital preservation processes? → PREMIS
25. In FRBR, which entity represents a distinct intellectual or artistic realization of a work? → Expression
26. A librarian conducts a usability study of the library catalog and collects think-aloud protocols from 12 participants. This is an example of: → Qualitative research
27. What does the term 'imposed query' refer to in reference services? → A question assigned by a teacher or employer rather than arising from personal curiosity
28. Which classification system is most widely used in academic and research libraries in the United States? → Library of Congress Classification
29. What is the most effective first step when managing a significant organizational change in a library, such as implementing a new integrated library system? → Communicating the vision and rationale for the change to stakeholders
30. Which management approach focuses on measuring library performance through quantifiable metrics such as circulation statistics and patron visits? → Evidence-based management