Application
This unit applies to individuals responsible for researching, describing and documenting information regarding material held in collections in a variety of contexts.
The unit requires the application of significant judgement and specialised knowledge, and is conducted under limited guidance from others.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Describe collection material | 1.1 Identify collection material in line with industry guidelines and organisational procedures 1.2 Establish the relationship of material to other collection items and the significance of this relationship using information sources 1.3 Consult with key stakeholders to confirm information and assessment |
2. Record collection information | 2.1 Articulate the significance of collection material in an appropriate format and in sufficient detail in descriptions to meet organisational requirements 2.2 Describe in detail the condition of items and their conservation needs 2.3 Alert relevant personnel to conservation needs as required 2.4 Enter information in records according to organisational procedures and guidelines |
3. Complete accession details | 3.1 Record accession details 3.2 Allocate accession numbers and record on collection material according to organisational procedures and guidelines 3.3 Record accession numbers into the record-keeping system 3.4 Check the record-keeping system and collection material 3.5 In consultation with relevant personnel, review and revise procedures as required |
Required Skills
Required skills
communication and teamwork skills to:
consult with stakeholders
seek assistance from stakeholders on complex aspects of significance
work cooperatively with others involved with collection material
literacy skills to:
analyse and document potentially complex information on collection material
read and follow organisational procedures and guidelines
numeracy skills to work with numerical accession systems
organising skills to integrate research, consultation and recording processes
research skills to conduct wide-ranging and detailed information searches on different types of collection material
self-management skills to:
prioritise work tasks and meet deadlines
follow workplace procedures
technical skills to:
use technology and record-keeping systems
undertake research.
Required knowledge
subject matter expertise related to collection material
information sources
concepts of significance and significance assessment methodology
sources of expert advice
handling and examination techniques
organisational procedures and procedures that apply to identification, description and documentation of collection material
copyright, moral rights and intellectual property issues and legislation and their impact on identification, description and documentation of collection material
cultural protocols for examining, identifying and reporting on collection material, including those associated with Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander cultural material
record-keeping systems.
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: describe in detail a range of collection material apply knowledge of organisational procedures and guidelines to describe and document collection material. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: use of current industry systems to research, describe and document collection material access to: relevant policies and procedures manuals collection material to be identified, described and documented a collection stakeholders. |
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 third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance evaluation of descriptions and records created by the candidate evaluation of research processes undertaken by the candidate to identify and assess significance examination of information prepared by the candidate to describe a number of different types of collection material verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of organisational procedures and guidelines. 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: CULCNM503A Manage the development of collections. |
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.
Collection material is defined as objects, collections, artworks, specimens, structures or sites, and includes: | archaeological material books and manuscripts cultural sites and buildings ethnographic material film and audiovisual material flora and fauna furniture photographs technological and industry items textiles works on paper and canvas. |
Information sources may include: | archives artists catalogues experts and specialists internet libraries local community members makers organisation’s collection other museum workers other museums previous holders of collection material publications reference works written reports. |
Key stakeholders may include: | community associations cultural groups donors experts or specialists makers or artists owners or custodians users. |
Appropriate format may be: | graphic photographic verbal written. |
Detail in descriptions may include: | adaptations age artist associations with place condition conservation needs, such as: care handling protection construction method and materials dimensions functionality inscriptions intactness maker marks physical appearance of items previous conservation previous owners provenance relationship to other material (within or outside of collections) repairs significance, such as: historical scientific research. |
Accession details may include: | acquisition method brief description copyright details costs, such as: maintenance value date of accession date of creation details of previous ownership dimensions maker or artist registration number. |
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.