School of Library and Information Science

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
October, 2002

1. In writing about contemporary libraries and librarians, Marylaine Block pointed out, "We help to keep the flame of liberty, knowledge, and community alive." (American Libraries, June/July 2001) Using Block's quotation as a context, write an essay elaborating upon two of the roles of libraries and librarians: (1) fostering democracy and (2) building community.
2. You've been selecting library materials on the same subject in the same library for years. You know you have your biases and blind spots, like everyone else, but you are not sure what they are. Discuss how you would find out what aspects of your subject you have been neglecting (i.e., where the gaps are in your collection).
3. Discuss knowledge representation methods that library professionals and researchers have used to organize and retrieve information. Identify the key problems of knowledge representation and potential solutions in electronic library environments.
4. Some critics of library Internet services have argued that ineffective filters are better than no filters. Take a position and discuss the issue.
5. Some information organization experts have commented that online catalogs should become information portals. Define the concept of "information portal," describe how it has been applied on the Web, and discuss issues one must consider while turning online catalogs into information portals.
6. Diversity is one theme adopted by ALA to fulfill its mission of providing the highest quality library and information services to all people. Choose a type of library and discuss in detail three ways the library can insure it is providing equal access to its information and services.
7. Subscription cancellations (both print and electronic) are a fact of life in many academic libraries, and not unheard of elsewhere. For a type of library (academic, public, school, special) of your choice, discuss the criteria you would use to decide which titles to cancel. Include in your answer both print and electronic materials, and both journals and other subscriptions (e.g., for indexes and electronic reference works).
8. What are the functions of metadata? Describe two metadata element sets that are commonly used by libraries, discuss one application of each standard in detail, and assess the value of these two standards for information organization and access in the digital environment.
9. With the passage of the USA Patriot Act, protection of library records may no longer be possible because the act overrides existing state and federal privacy laws. It allows the FBI to compel disclosure upon the mere claim that the records are connected with an intelligence investigation. What ethical issues does this raise? How will policies and procedures of the library be affected?
10. When states, counties and cities face budget deficits, hard choices must be made in dividing a shrinking resource pie. Present an argument that libraries should receive equal treatment along with services such as law enforcement, firefighting and education.