This unit applies to individuals who undertake cataloguing activities in information services organisations and who have a sound knowledge of cataloguing standards and systems. This work is carried out in accordance with established procedures and guidelines.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Construct bibliographic descriptions

1.1

Identify relevant national and international standards and accepted variations which apply to cataloguing of material

1.2

Use standards to construct descriptions which conform to the International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD) format for the material to be catalogued

1.3

Construct descriptions in accordance with specific needs and organisational procedures

1.4

Determine and record access conditions in accordance with organisational and national standards

2

Locate, retrieve and transfer bibliographic information/records

2.1

Determine appropriate search strategy for use in catalogues and databases

2.2

Use bibliographic and communication standards to locate information/records

2.3

Use correct techniques and procedures to download/upload bibliographic records

3

Provide cataloguing support

3.1

Undertake appropriate catalogue maintenance to preserve integrity of local database, to conform to national systems and standards and to facilitate database searching and future cataloguing

3.2

Accurately record statistics of information catalogued in accordance with organisational procedures

3.3

Record item maintenance requirements in accordance with organisational procedures

3.4

Identify and discuss difficulties or uncertainties with relevant colleagues and take action accordingly

Required skills

technology skills to use current industry cataloguing systems

problem-solving skills to review and respond to database maintenance issues

literacy skills to interpret and construct cataloguing entries

numeracy skills to work with numerical features of cataloguing systems.

Required knowledge

cataloguing standards and systems used in Australian libraries, e.g. AACR, USMARC/Metadata, DDC, LCC, LCSH and SCIS

organisation's cataloguing system/s, and use of national network and organisation's computer system, including command languages and procedures

principles of bibliographic description and access

ways of preparing basic descriptive cataloguing records

typical cataloguing problems

procedures for maintaining cataloguing records

copyright, moral rights and intellectual property issues and legislation that impact on cataloguing.

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.

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

demonstrated accuracy in the creation and amendment of catalogue records

sound knowledge of bibliographic and catalogue record components

knowledge and understanding of cataloguing conventions

practical demonstration of skills using current industry systems to undertake cataloguing activities

completion of activities within realistic workplace time constraints.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to relevant policies and procedures manuals

access to current industry cataloguing tools and 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 third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

review of records created by the candidate in relation to accuracy

review of catalogues for which the candidate is responsible for maintaining

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of cataloguing procedures and systems.

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

CULLB506C Catalogue and classify material.

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.

In this unit, cataloguing will be in accordance with established procedures. It may include:

basic descriptive cataloguing

record flagged as being from a source known to be normally complete and reliable

apparently complete existing records found in the national database from a source which may be less complete or reliable but acceptable to the library

Material to be catalogued may include:

books

journals

audio-visual items

CD-ROMs

music

maps

toys

games

material in English or languages other than English

computer files and software

electronic documents and journals

network resources

microforms

Access conditions may include:

not for loan

shelved in specific areas of the organisation

housed on- or off-site

restrictions on loan periods

Catalogue maintenance may include:

relocating items

re-cataloguing items, e.g. from manual to computerised format

updating of files

correcting holdings information

Systems and standards may include:

USMARC/Metadata

AACR (latest edition and amendments)

SCIS Subject Headings

Dewey Decimal Classification

Library of Congress Subject Headings

local protocols

ISBD

Item maintenance may include:

checking disks for viruses on a regular basis

checking special material to ensure all components are correct, e.g. pictorial materials, slides

Relevant colleagues may be:

more experienced staff

supervisor

other experts

Information Organisation and Management

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills. The Employability Skills Summary for the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged, will assist in identifying Employability Skills requirements.