School of Library and Information Science

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
DAY 1: Friday, March 28, 2008

Question 1

Some libraries are embracing online methods to provide information literacy instruction (e.g., bibliographic instruction, user education, fair-use of materials, etc.). Select an information center of your choice (e.g., school library or media center, archive, academic library, special library, public library, etc.). Compare and contrast the challenges and benefits associated with the delivery of information literacy instruction online versus face-to-face. Include references to the literature as appropriate.

Question 2

To meet user expectations, today's libraries provide or are experimenting with an array of digital services. Examples include virtual reference services, digital libraries, digital collections, institutional repositories, remote access, web portals, etc. For an information center of your choice (e.g., school library or media center, archive, academic library, special library, public library, etc.), select one type of digital service that could be implemented and explain your choice. Outline an implementation plan for that service. Describe three important steps in the plan. Include references to the literature as appropriate.

Question 3

Many libraries manage multiple locations or service points, for example public library branches, archival library branches, school library grade-level focused collections, etc. For an information center of your choice (e.g., school library or media center, archive, academic library, special library, public library, etc.), identify and discuss three issues (such as technology, people, resources or management) that arise when multiple libraries exist within the same parent organization. Discuss how to solve these issues, taking into consideration the information needs and mission of the institution. Include references to the literature as appropriate.

Question 4

Bibliographic control is a core notion in library and information science. International and national library communities have discussed the evolution of bibliographic control. Define bibliographic control and describe its goals and functions. Identify and discuss two important trends influencing the practice of bibliographic control. Include references to the literature as appropriate.

Question 5

Writing in 1923, John Cotton Dana stated, "The worth of a library lies in the use made of it." This statement indicates the importance of usage measures to evaluate a library or information center's worth. For a library, archive or information center of your choice, identify three usage measures. Discuss the strengths and limitations of each measure to justify the usefulness of a library. Include references to the literature as appropriate.

DAY 2: Saturday, March 29, 2008

Question 6

Recent studies have found that as children grow older, their interest and time spent reading diminishes significantly. Further, adult interest in reading is declining. Reading is, however, associated with higher test scores, better achievement in college and better employment opportunities. What are the implications of these findings for information professionals? For an information center of your choice (e.g., school library or media center, archive, academic library, special library, public library, etc.), describe three strategies information professionals can use to encourage reading. Include references to the literature as appropriate.

Question 7

For an information center of your choice (e.g., school library or media center, archive, academic library, special library, public library, etc.), define the specific "life cycle" of information. List and describe the stages of the cycle and their relationship to information use and management. Include references to the literature as appropriate.

Question 8

There is no such thing as the perfect reference tool, capable of answering every question. Therefore librarians and information professionals must evaluate resources for their usefulness in answering reference questions. Describe a framework for evaluating reference tools including 5 criteria that can be used to evaluate its usefulness.

Explain why each criterion is important. Include references to the literature as appropriate.

Question 9

Principle VI of the ALA Code of Ethics states, "We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions." For an information center of your choice (e.g., school library or media center, archive, academic library, special library, public library, etc.), explain why this principle is important. Describe three scenarios that could lead to this principle being violated. Discuss three things a professional can do to promote compliance with this principle. Include references to the literature as appropriate.

Question 10

Select an information center of your choice (e.g., school library or media center, archive, academic library, special library, public library, etc.). Identify an information system commonly used in that setting, for example an integrated library system (ILS), institutional repository, digital library, archives management system, etc.

Identify two important capabilities of the system that are changing due to the influence of the Internet and the World Wide Web. Describe the changes and explain how they impact the way the organization serves its clients. Include references to the literature as appropriate.