School of Library and Information Science

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
October 2004

1. Intellectual property influences librarianship. Describe in detail two current copyright issues, such as legislation, technological innovation, the role of distributors of information, or other factors. Explain how each issue/factor influences the availability of information.
2. In recent years, many libraries have started outsourcing such core services as cataloging, collection development, and automated systems. Choose a type of library and particular service. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing a library service. In addition, describe three key factors that would influence a decision about outsourcing.
3. Studies report that most Internet users believe that they are able to find what they want using search engines. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using search engines to find resources on the Internet. Describe three other types of search tools and explain why these tools are important. In addition, discuss how librarians can teach information literacy and critical thinking skills to users who rely heavily on search engines.
4. How is the work of the information professional affected by demographic characteristics of the client? Compare and contrast special problems that should be considered in providing information services to three of the following groups:
   (a) the elderly;
   (b) children;
   (c) new immigrants (including those whose native language is not English);
   (d) library users with physical handicaps limiting mobility;
   (e) library users with handicaps affecting sight and/or hearing;
   (f) economically disadvantaged people.
5. A university archives is contemplating using the World Wide Web to reengineer its reference services. Discuss the advantages and challenges associated with the online provision of reference services to archival materials and articulate how this university might structure an online reference service to such materials.
6. Compare and contrast the libraries and the Internet in terms of their usefulness from the perspective of a user who wants to be self-sufficient, who is satisfied with efficiency rather than completeness, and who uses visual, numeric and text information. Discuss what these two entities can learn from each other about being useful to the user described above.
7. Users' preference for electronic resources has posed challenges to libraries. Draw on research findings on how faculty and students seek and use information to discuss the challenges facing librarians in the following areas: information services, collection development, and organization of information.
8. You work at the reference desk. A patron asks for information on synthesizing methamphetamine. Referring to professional ethical principles within the context of a democratic society, how will you handle this situation?
9. The design, development, and operations/management of digital libraries or school media centers require a range of skills and activities that are different from those required in traditional libraries. Identify and discuss at least three different activities involved and specific skills or training required in designing, developing, and managing digital libraries or school media centers.
10. Libraries in higher education have been supporting and extending their services to learners in distant locations. Identify and describe three of the important services that academic libraries have provided to distant learners. In addition, discuss further roles and activities in which libraries and librarians can participate in building distance education and distance learning programs in higher education.