Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:50 PM AWST
22/07/2026 5:50 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Select and acquire information materials
Select and acquire information materials
Unit of competency
National Code
CULLB509C
CULLB509C
State Code
D1789
D1789
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/09/2008
Field of Education
091301 - Librarianship And Information Management
Original Release Date
19/09/2008
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to coordinate information selection and acquisition for an information services provider. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Review collection
- 1.1 Maintain data on trends relevant to customer needs, available information and alternative formats
- 1.2 Take action on policy issues within area of responsibility and make recommendations to appropriate person/s on selection and acquisition of information
2 Develop/assess acquisition recommendations
- 2.1 Develop proposals based on own knowledge of customer group/s, usage patterns, specific requests and other available material
- 2.2 Assess own or others' proposals in accordance with organisational collection management policies
- 2.3 Assess proposals for their impact on the collection, and on the balance of in-house collection and information from remote sources
- 2.4 Assess proposals in relation to identified customer needs and requirements
- 2.5 Identify and access resource implications of proposals
- 2.6 Prioritise proposals based on reasoned analysis of all factors
3 Assess qualities of recommended acquisitions
- 3.1 Gather and examine all appropriate information about material to be acquired
- 3.2 Assess where relevant, physical durability of material against likely levels and types of usage
- 3.3 Identify and evaluate alternative formats in relation to usage patterns and cost
- 3.4 Assess suitability of material for potential customers
4 Review supplier and format options
- 4.1 Maintain awareness of the capacity of suppliers to meet specific information needs
- 4.2 Select format in relation to ease of access, resource implications and suitability for customer requirements
- 4.3 Negotiate with suppliers to maximise cost saving opportunities for the organisation within scope of individual responsibility
- 4.4 Select suppliers based on ability to meet needs and in accordance with organisational policies
5 Recommend and/or act on selections
- 5.1 Make final recommendations for acquisitions in accordance with organisational procedures or allocate resources for purchase depending on scope of individual responsibility
- 5.2 Implement administrative procedures for acquisition of material in accordance with organisational 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.
Formats may include:
print
audio-visual
CD-ROM
Microform
multimedia
optical disks or formats
Policy issues may relate to:
allocation of funding across the general collection
suppliers
format of materials
collection development
cultural considerations
copyright, moral rights and intellectual property
Capacity of suppliers to meetspecific information needs may relate to:
quality of service
availability of discounts or suitable deals
range of information supplied
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.
Formats may include:
audio-visual
CD-ROM
Microform
multimedia
optical disks or formats
Policy issues may relate to:
allocation of funding across the general collection
suppliers
format of materials
collection development
cultural considerations
copyright, moral rights and intellectual property
Capacity of suppliers to meetspecific information needs may relate to:
quality of service
availability of discounts or suitable deals
range of information supplied
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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:
detailed knowledge of acquisition procedures and policies
ability to develop/assess acquisition recommendations which respond to organisational and customer needs
practical demonstration of skills through the development of acquisition recommendations for a specific collection and workplace context.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
use of current industry systems
access to strategic plans and relevant policies and procedures manuals
access to suppliers' lists and publishers' information.
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
evaluation of acquisition recommendations prepared/assessed by the candidate
evaluation of candidate's response to different collection scenarios to assess ability to make acquisition recommendations to address particular workplace situations.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
other collection management units.
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:
detailed knowledge of acquisition procedures and policies
ability to develop/assess acquisition recommendations which respond to organisational and customer needs
practical demonstration of skills through the development of acquisition recommendations for a specific collection and workplace context.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
use of current industry systems
access to strategic plans and relevant policies and procedures manuals
access to suppliers' lists and publishers' information.
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
evaluation of acquisition recommendations prepared/assessed by the candidate
evaluation of candidate's response to different collection scenarios to assess ability to make acquisition recommendations to address particular workplace situations.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
other collection management units.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1484 | CULLB401A | Contribute to client access to information | Unit of competency |
| C7143 | CULLB509B | Select and acquire information materials | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C725 | CUL50104 | Diploma of Library-Information Services | Qualification |