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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

Required skills

analytical and evaluation skills to determine relevance and reliability of information

communication skills to

liaise with customers

discuss complex ideas and concepts

initiative and enterprise skills to

expedite search processes and minimise costs

find the most efficient and effective way of responding to a range of complex information requests from customers

information literacy skills to access and use a wide range of complex information sources

problemsolving skills to assess and select strategies to locate hard to find information

problemsolving skills to assess and select strategies to locate hard to find information

research skills to undertake complex searches and information analysis

selfmanagement skills to

follow workplace procedures

prioritise work tasks and meet deadlines

technology skills to

assist customers to use different searching tools

use current information services industry technology

Required knowledge

scope and range of available information sources available in print and electronic formats including databases and technologies such as current and emerging web applications

techniques for searching and retrieving information from a range of sources including the internet and other electronic sources

strategies for obtaining information from external agencies or specialist organisations

range of available delivery options for presentation of information resources

legal considerations relating to accessing information sources such as

licensing agreements

bibliographic standards

reference sources and databases both print and online

protocols associated with culturally sensitive material including Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural material

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to

analyse information to ensure suitability to meet customer needs

apply knowledge of the organisations reference research and general collections

apply knowledge of types and scope of databases and other accessible reference tools

define locate analyse and evaluate information

effectively interview communicate and negotiate with customers about information needs

respond to complex and varied information requests

use effective search techniques using a range of print and electronic information sources and tools

work within time constraints that reflect industry practice and standards

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

use of current industry systems and equipment

interaction with others to reflect the communication and negotiation aspects of this unit

relevant policies and procedures documents

a range of information sources and information systems

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of onthejob performance

evaluation of candidates response to different scenarios to assess ability to research analyse and present information in response to a range of complex requests

review of reports prepared by the candidate in response to a particular information need

review of reports prepared by the candidate detailing the development of strategies to respond to a given need including challenges faced and how these were overcome

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular client groups consider the requirements of different age groups clients with English as a second language clients with disabilities remote library users etc

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

CULRSKA Monitor compliance with copyright and licence requirements

CULRSK501A Monitor compliance with copyright and licence requirements.

Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Nature of information needsmay relate to:	commercial sensitivities and implications degree of specialist assistance required delivery or presentation method level, detail and currency of information purpose of requests required formats special requirements timeframes topic or subject definitions.
Level of complexity may relate to:	availability in print or electronic formats clarifying customer requirements content need for sophisticated packaging or presentation of information obscure or difficult to obtain nature of information purpose for which information is being obtained scope of information request specialised access protocols specialised nature of information wide range of information sources, tools and access possibilities wide range of information to which access is required by customers.
Complex search strategies may relate to:	availability of current information commercial sensitivity of search processes complexity of the subject field, its concepts and methodologies cost implications difficulty of finding or obtaining information information belonging to a new or developing field where sources are not well-established limited access to print and electronic resources missing, vague or conflicting information variety of possible sources requiring judgement about the best options.
Review and revisemay include:	changing search terms or using different combinations of search terms changing to another topic due to lack of resources limiting by date of publication, language, and country of publication limiting by format narrowing or broadening topics revising list of keywords or phrases use of Boolean operators.
Access may relate to:	constantly changing conditions high cost of electronic databases or datasets network interfaces that are not user friendly poor organisation of information varying quality.
Information sources may be:	biographical sources books conference proceedings databases discussion papers e-books e-journals geographical sources internet websites items in library collection items obtained through interlibrary loan or document supply/delivery options local, state and government agencies newspaper or journal articles periodic indexing databases print or electronic formats reports scientific or technical journals statistical information from sources, such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) working papers.
Search techniquesmay include:	basic and advanced catalogue searches combined searches using federated search engines across multiple databases internet searches limiting search parameters by criteria, such as: date format language place of publication reviewing and revising search terms searching electronic databases using basic or advanced search features searching one database at a time searching other library catalogues seeking assistance from colleagues or external organisations.
Packaging and presentation of information may include:	annotated bibliographies articles supplied through document delivery services electronic copies sent as email attachments physical copies of information resources presentation of information or resources in person to customer printed or electronic copies of newspaper or journal articles providing explanation of search strategy reference lists or bibliographies resources in audiovisual or multimedia formats.