Elements and Performance Criteria

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 materialis 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.
Organisational objectives may relate to:
comprehensiveness of collections
future direction of the organisation
marketing initiatives
relationship between collection and site
resource constraints
special exhibition needs
strategic plan
visitor needs and trends.
Collection requirements may relate to:
addressing cultural or moral issues
complying with a will, statute or other legal requirement
improving or rationalising collections
meeting the request of an organisation or person
mounting an exhibition
rationalising loans.
Key stakeholders may include:
boards and committees
commercial partners
cultural groups
local community members
other cultural service organisations
other management
subject matter experts
visitors.
Options may take place between or by means of:
auction
bequest
different sections of the same institution
exchange
gift
institution and commercial enterprises
institution and individuals or groups
loan
purchase
tender
transfer
two institutions.
Key internal and external factors may relate to:
availability of expertise
competitive environment
economic considerations
marketing considerations
organisational priorities
resource constraints
social or political issues.
Collection management policies may include:
accession policy
collection policy
deaccession policy
guidelines for review of policies, including who is authorised to review them and the scope and frequency of reviews
limit of responsibility.
Resources may include:
conservation experts
construction of new displays or other infrastructure
finance
financial advice
funding and grants
legal expertise
replacement objects
space
special equipment and machinery
storage materials and facilities
subject matter experts
transport
valuation advice.
Organisational procedures and guidelinesmay relate to:
acquisitions
borrowings
disposal
handling collection materials
loans
recordkeeping
risk assessment.
Cultural protocols may relate to:
access
display
financial transactions
obtaining permission
special handling of items
storage
timing of acquisition or disposal.
Terms may relate to:
care
copyright
cost
cultural considerations
display
duration
environmental considerations
ethical considerations
insurance
location
recordkeeping
security
usage.

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:
make and justify decisions regarding accessioning and deaccessioning collection material to meet collection needs
apply organisational procedures and guidelines in managing the development of collections
negotiate and document processes and agreements in relation to collection material.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to:
an established or proposed collection as the basis of decision making
organisational objectives, procedures and guidelines
engagement with others to reflect the communication and negotiation aspects of the unit.
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 candidate’s ability to develop recommendations for the development of collections
evaluation of records and documentation
verbal of written questioning to assess knowledge of organisational procedures and policies for the development of collections
case study on addressing a collection need.
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:
CULCNM502A Manage lending and borrowing processes for collections.