1988 Final Exams Questions

November 21, 1988

1. Information professionals generally agree that the most important development in information storage and retrieval over the last two decades has been the emergence of online information retrieval systems. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online information retrieval systems as compared with the more traditional information retrieval systems of libraries which rely on cards (e.g., the card catalog) or the printed page (e.g., indexing or abstracting icurnals) as a means of information retrieval.

2. Presented below are two goals which are typical of many libraries:
   • To provide all of the intended patrons of the library equal access to library/information services.

   • To increase the number of people using the library and its services.

   For each of the goals expressed above, prepare 3-4 specific objectives and discuss a strategy for implementing one (1) objective for each goal.

3. The idea of "intellectual fresdom" is always current because it is always threatened, even in a democratic society. From the general perspective of the library profession, discuss the threat that censorship poses to "intellectual freedom." Include a discussion of common problem areas, steps you would take in dealing with the issue if it arises, who you would involve in the process of addressing the issue, and how this challenge to "intellectual freedom" should be resolved in your library.

4. According to the Center for Education Statistics Survey of Networks and Cooperative Library Organizations: 1985-1986, more than 32,000 libraries participate in at least one network (where a network is taken to be any cooperative group of libraries that may or may not use computer technology). What functions do networks perform which make network participation useful in libraries. Discuss.

5. Discuss the role of bibliographic standards (e.g., MARC, AACRII, Library of Congress Subject Headings, Thesauri, ISBN, ISBD, etc.) in achieving bibliographic control. What special opportunities and problems do bibliographic standards present to the library/information community. Discuss.

July 18, 1988

1. In a 1981 article Mary Jo Lynch wrote that "...the charging of fees and levies for information services, including those services utilizing the latest, information technology, is discriminatory in publicly supported institutions providing library and information services." Seven years later the issue of free versus fee-based information services remains a highly controversial topic. Please review, in as objective a manner as possible, the major arguments of both sides, and state your personal position on this issue, indicating your reasons for taking such a position.

2. Identify and describe major issues and/or developments in the management of libraries, occurring since 1960, which are likely to have a lasting impact on how libraries are managed.

3. The users of information systems and services of any kind usually evaluate them. Although the evaluation may not be formal, most users have a good idea of how well the service met their personal needs and expectations. Since virtually all information systems or services are going to be formally or informally evaluated, especially at budget time, it is vital that the infommation system or service manager knows what specific criteria seem most impor- tant for evaluation purposes. What criteria (plural) would you consider important in an evaluation if you were the manager of an information system or service which is being evaluated? Discuss how the criteria you have identified might be used in the evaluation process.

4. Critics of American Librarianship have noted that the profession has resisted cooperation in resource development to the detriment of quality service. Assuming that the critics are at least partially right, (1) present your analysis of the reasons for this lack of cooperation; (2) describe the ways in which libraries do cooperate; and (3) speculate about the future of library cooperation in the United States.

5. Taking a library of your choice (e.g., school-media centerst public libraries, academic libraries, special libraries, etc.), discuss the information systems and services which such libraries have developed for their clients over the last two decades (e.g., What kinds of new systems and services have been introduced? Why were they introduced? How widely have they been adopted by users? How are thay likely to develop in the future? etc.).

April 18, 1988

1. InstructionaL services, sometimes called bibliographic instruction ,are becoming increasingly common in all types of libraries. What is the basic purpose of instructional services, and why are they considered an important form or information services offered by libraries? Identify and briefly describe some of the different methods or strategies used in instructional services.

2. Choose a type of library (e.g., school, public, academic, special, etc.) and discuss how, as an administrator, you would proceed to convert your manual catalog into an online catalog. in your discussion, consider administrative, personnel, physical facilities, as well as operational aspects of the process.

3. The evaluation of reference service has received a great deal of attention by the library community in recent years. What general conclusions regarding reference staff, reference processes, reference collections and reference performance have been drawn from these evaluative studies? Discuss the things that libraries might do it order to improve the performance (level of success achieved) of reference service.

4. A primary purpose of libraries is to provide clients/users/patrons with physical access to information sources (e.g., books, journals, government publications, audiovisual materials, and other document forms) which will, hopefully, satisfy their information needs. Identify and describe the basic options which are available to libraries for acquiring the information sources mentioned above for patron use.

5. As library professionals theoretically contemplate the character of libraries of the future with all their attributes and unfore- seen problems, they are beset by the question, "What should libraries be today?" From the perspective of a library of your choice (e.g., school, public, academic, special, etc.) discuss what you feel libraries should be today.