Application
This unit applies to individuals working in museums, galleries, cultural centres and other organisations that hold collections, who are responsible for organising and cataloguing collection objects.
In large organisations, this role may be undertaken by specialist staff. However in many community-based organisations, volunteers and committee members may catalogue objects into collections.
Work may be undertaken under some supervision, within established policies and procedures.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare to catalogue objects | 1.1 Discuss the purpose and benefits of cataloguing collection objects with relevant personnel 1.2 Become familiar with relevant organisational policy documents 1.3 Use cataloguing tools to complete registration worksheets and establish supplementary files 1.4 Establish digital files relating to collections |
2. Process objects | 2.1 Enter objects into organisational registration book or collections database observing relevant policies and procedures 2.2 Assign and fix registration numbers to objects 2.3 Enter information from registration worksheets into catalogues 2.4 Update catalogue information observing organisational policies and processes 2.5 Seek assistance from colleagues as required |
3. Contribute to reviews of workplace procedures | 3.1 Act on feedback from relevant personnel to improve own performance 3.2 Discuss aspects of cataloguing procedures that could be improved with relevant personnel 3.3 Participate in workplace reviews as required |
Required Skills
Required skills
communication and teamwork skills to:
seek and clarify information
complete workplace documentation
work collaboratively with others
learning skills to:
seek expert assistance as required
improve cataloguing skills by acting on feedback about own performance in job role
literacy skills to:
use authority lists and thesauruses
describe objects visually
create and interpret metadata
create keywords
transcribe inscriptions and markings
report condition of collection items
numeracy skills to:
work with registration numbering processes
use catalogue tools to measure objects
observational skills to identify inscription and markings
research skills to:
investigate history of objects
investigate and validate restrictions to the object that may need to be included in the catalogue entry
self-management skills to:
prioritise work tasks and meet deadlines
follow workplace procedures
technical skills to:
handle objects to maintain integrity
use cataloguing databases.
Required knowledge
cataloguing tools
metadata concepts
organisational policies in relation to cataloguing and collection management
sources of information for research purposes
copyright and intellectual property legislation that relates to:
intellectual property rights of owners
copyright in collection objects.
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: complete registration worksheets enter information from registration worksheets into catalogues follow organisational policies and procedures. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: objects to be catalogued organisational policies and procedures for cataloguing and collection management cataloguing tools a working catalogue. |
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: demonstration of cataloguing objects direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on review of cataloguing entries verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of general principles and processes of cataloguing. 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: CULCNM303A Move and store collection material. |
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.
Purpose and benefits may relate to: | enhancing administration enriching cultural value. |
Relevant personnel may include: | collection manager curator donor registrar subject matter expert. |
Policy documents may include: | application of metadata collection policies containing information, such as: criteria guiding object acquisition procedures for collection: care conservation documentation and recordkeeping loans storage statement of purpose guidelines for review of policies, including who is authorised to review them and the scope and frequency of reviews statements of purpose, including: functions geographic location reviews of statements subject area time period. |
Cataloguing tools may relate to: | authority lists and thesauruses computer and cataloguing software for electronic cataloguing examining objects using: latex or powder-free nitrile gloves metric ruler retractable metric measuring tape soft metric measuring tape white cotton gloves stationery for manual cataloguing, such as: blank registration worksheets folder for registration worksheets plastic sleeves for registration worksheet soft B pencils (2B or 4B) and eraser. |
Registration worksheets may contain: | discretionary fields, such as: condition and completeness exhibition history inscriptions and markings notes requirements for handling, storage and display significance to collections title when and where object is used mandatory fields, such as: acquisitions details cataloguer current location description dimensions keywords or index terms object name producer/maker's details restrictions storage location supplementary hard copy and digital files when and where object was made unique record of information about objects. |
Supplementary files may include: | correspondence history images receipt of purchase reference material research material. |
Digital files may include: | correspondence documents emails images with details, such as: date description rights information source and owner links to catalogue records requests for information or addition to object data research material. |
Enter objects may refer to: | formal entries of information, such as: acquisition date acquisition method comments object name and description registration date source's name and address hard copy primary reference unique registration number. |
Objects may be: | paper textile three dimensional. |
Update catalogue information may relate to: | change to location of objects deaccessioning of objects new information. |
Sectors
Cultural services - Collection management
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.