Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish, manage and evaluate procedures for the care, maintenance and preservation of collections. It involves the use of analytical, communication and planning skills, as well as knowledge of specific issues that apply to the care, maintenance, minimisation of risk and preservation of both print and electronic materials.
It applies to individuals who work in leadership positions and who are responsible for the physical care of collections.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Review and update maintenance and preservation procedures | 1.1 Assess care and maintenance needs of specific collections based on knowledge of requirements of different types of materials 1.2 Assess the need for, and organise appropriate access to, specialist expertise 1.3 Ensure that where applicable, preservation procedures comply with organisational digital preservation policy 1.4 Review and update policies, systems and procedures for the care, maintenance and preservation of material, anticipating and responding to problems and challenges that may arise 1.5 Incorporate organisational priorities and constraints when developing new and revising existing procedures 1.6 Communicate maintenance and preservation procedures to relevant staff |
2. Establish risk-management strategies and procedures | 2.1 Identify key risk factors for collections, including digital collections, and assess organisational capability to address risk 2.2 Develop appropriate risk-management strategies to prevent or minimise loss or damage in key areas, including the digital environment 2.3 Develop appropriate migration strategies to ensure preservation of data 2.4 Implement strategies, anticipating and responding to problems and challenges that may arise |
3. Evaluate effectiveness of collection maintenance and preservation procedures | 3.1 Instigate systems for regularly monitoring collection maintenance and preservation procedures 3.2 Monitor procedures and their implementation to identify aspects needing attention 3.3 Assess the application of safe and secure work practices and take action to address problems that arise 3.4 Contribute to monitoring the collection development and digital preservation policies of the organisation 3.5 Consult with colleagues on a regular basis to obtain feedback on maintenance and preservation procedures 3.6 Use feedback and outcomes of regular monitoring of staff performance and activities to improve procedures and to identify opportunities for own professional development |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
manage care and maintenance procedures to meet specific collection and organisational needs
systematically review and monitor the organisation’s policies and procedures for collection care, maintenance and preservation
apply organisation’s collection development policies and procedures, particularly the digital preservation policy
evaluate the care and maintenance procedures of specific collections
interact with colleagues and specialist experts on development issues, as required, to complement own skill set
pursue opportunities for own professional development regarding new and emerging trends in maintenance and preservation procedures and strategies
model due diligence and professionalism in complex judgements and decisions.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
detail strategies for the storage, display, preservation and conservation of different types of information materials
identify risk factors for different types of information materials
describe the nature of cooperative arrangements that exist between information services providers in relation to collection care and maintenance
analyse issues that affect the care, maintenance and preservation of specific types of information materials, both print and electronic
identify copyright, moral rights and intellectual property issues that affect collection care and management
review organisational collection development policies on the care, maintenance and preservation of specific information collections
describe cultural protocols that impact on collection care and management
discuss the purposes and objectives of existing digital preservation policies
discuss the benefits and limitations of digital preservation.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. The assessment environment must include access to:
a collection for which procedures must be managed
relevant policies and procedures manuals, including those relating to the preservation of digital collections.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Learning | 3.6 | Uses feedback to identify opportunities to improve own skills or knowledge |
Reading | 1.3, 1.4 | Interprets and critically analyses complex text, including ideas and opinions of others and applies general information to specific contexts |
Writing | 1.4, 1.5, 2.2, 2.3, 3.6 | Modifies and creates material that incorporates synthesis of knowledge and information using appropriate terminology and cohesive language in a format appropriate to purpose Conveys detailed and specific information and instructions requiring concise use of vocabulary, syntax and grammar |
Oral communication | 1.2, 1.6, 3.5, 3.6 | Uses sophisticated listening and questioning techniques in discussion of complex ideas and concepts with a wide range of stakeholders, including collection specialists and colleagues Explains procedures and instructions to others, choosing language appropriate to audience |
Navigate the world of work | 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 | Works autonomously making high level decisions to achieve and improve organisational goals Takes a lead role in the development of organisational strategies and procedures |
Interact with others | 1.2, 1.6, 3.5, 3.6 | Uses a variety of relevant communication tools and strategies in building and maintaining effective working relationships Shares knowledge, information and experience openly as an integral part of the working relationship |
Get the work done | 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6 | Develops, manages and systematically reviews policies, systems and procedures for collection care, maintenance and preservation Takes full responsibility for risk management, applying problem solving processes to determine solutions Uses formal analytical and lateral thinking techniques for identifying issues, generating and evaluating possible solutions Uses digital technologies to create, access and manage metadata Shows awareness of the importance of data security and ensuring that digital preservation policies and procedures are implemented |
Sectors
Knowledge management - collection management