Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
21/07/2026 11:26 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.

Obtain information from external and networked sources

Obtain information from external and networked sources

Unit of competency
National Code
CULINS402A
State Code
D9430
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
20/12/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
04/07/2014
Field of Education
091301 - Librarianship And Information Management
Original Release Date
04/07/2014
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to obtain information from external and networked sources to meet customer needs.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine customer information needs
  • 1.1 Determine and confirm exact nature of information needs with customer
  • 1.2 Discuss options for satisfying requests with customer, taking into account any specific requirements
  • 1.3 Where appropriate, keep customer informed of progress of delivery
  • 1.4 Recommend alternative options to fulfil customer information needs as required
2. Clarify details of required information resources
  • 2.1 Verify bibliographic and other relevant details sufficient to locate required information resources
  • 2.2 Check availability of required information from external or networked sources
3. Search external and networked sources
  • 3.1 Complete information search based on knowledge of appropriate external and networked sources
  • 3.2 Check availability of information resources from external and networked sources by searching their library catalogues for items already held, and electronic databases
  • 3.3 Verify knowledge of reciprocal interlibrary lending networks and document delivery systems and services to source required information
  • 3.4 Seek assistance from colleagues to locate unusual or difficult to locate information
4. Obtain and return information
  • 4.1 Complete and despatch requests to external sources using organisational standards, systems and procedures
  • 4.2 Monitor requests to external sources and take follow-up action as required
  • 4.3 Check the condition of information resources received from external sources and confirm that they meet customer needs
  • 4.4 Monitor receipt of electronic documents and present to customers using approved delivery methods
  • 4.5 Ensure compliance with copyright legislation in relation to supply of photocopied or electronic documents
  • 4.6 Take action to recall material, where required, and return it to provider in the required condition
  • 4.7 Inform provider of difficulties in relation to return of material and take action
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.

Customers may be:
business organisations
external or internal
members of the public
other information services providers, which could be:
international
interstate
local
registered borrowers.
Specific requirementsmay relate to:
cost
delivery
format
number of copies
timeframes.
Bibliographic and other relevant details may include:
basic components of bibliographic records, such as:
author
International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
print and electronic publication formats
publication details
title
delivery options
costs
library statements of holdings contained within catalogue records
location details and symbols.
Information search may include searching:
Australian National Bibliographic Database (ANBD) via Libraries Australia or Trove
electronic databases accessed through paid subscription
other library catalogue
own library catalogue
own library network for reciprocal borrowing.
Unusual or difficult to locate information may include:
complex or specialised information only accessible from other organisations
foreign language materials
items held in specialist external collections
items not held with collections
out of print materials.
External sources may include:
commercial document supply services
electronic databases to which the organisation subscribes or has free access
information sources, such as:
commercial vendors
companies
organisations
societies
libraries, museums, galleries and information services organisations in Australia and overseas
vendors or aggregators of electronic databases.
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:
communicate effectively and efficiently with customers
apply well-developed information literacy skills
use external sources and bibliographic tools, including electronic sources, to obtain different types of information
search external sources effectively to meet a range of different information needs.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
use of industry-current systems and technologies to access external information sources
access to relevant policies, procedures and documents concerning access to external sources of 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 onthejob performance
evaluation of information sourced from external and networked sources by the candidate in terms of suitability to meet the identified need
evaluation of candidate’s response to problemsolving exercises to assess ability to respond to different information needs
verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of external information sources.
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:
CUECOR03B Provide quality service to customers
CULINS401A Assist customers to access information.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
D1775 CULLB002B Obtain information from external and networked sources to meet customer needs Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AWG09 BSBLIB406 Obtain information from external and networked sources Unit of competency