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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Occupational Certificate: Library Assistant 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94598  Occupational Certificate: Library Assistant 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - ETDP SETA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
QCTO - Quality Council for Trades and Occupations  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language  Information Studies 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  127  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0425/24  2018-07-01  2025-12-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-30   2029-12-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
58624  National Certificate: Library and Information Services  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  123  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Library Assistant, Library Assistants issue and receive library materials, sort and shelve information resources and assist the librarian in providing service to library users.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Assist library users in accessing basic library materials, e-resources and making interlibrary loans.
  • Practice circulation and shelving of library materials.
  • Maintain library records relating to the acquisition, and accessioning of books and other materials.
  • Perform administration and auxiliary activities such as filing, word processing, keeping statistics and perform basic material repairs and maintenance.
  • Assist with the delivery of outreach and reading development programmes, marketing and displays.

    Rationale:
    Research conducted by the Department of Arts and Culture found that there is currently a dire need for qualified Library Assistants and the need is nationwide in urban libraries but even more so in community resource centres in the rural areas. Input from the CEP also indicated that unqualified persons have been appointed as Library Assistants who require appropriate training. Furthermore, the demand expressed by employees for support staff to be formally recognised for LIS skills, knowledge and experience has also greatly influenced the development of this qualification at NQF Level 5.

    This qualification will provide occupational education and training to these people who are employed in all communities of Library and Information Services (LIS) as well as those who work in the public or private sectors or in rural or urban organisations. The areas of employment in which the qualifying learners will operate are public libraries/community libraries, school libraries/resource centres, academic libraries, corporate libraries, state departments etc.

    This qualification is aimed at the unemployed, school leavers, library support staff, new entrants to LIS and adult learners. Furthermore, the South African government has recognised the significant role of LIS in community development and for the advancement of literacy. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

    RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum requirement for entry into this qualification is:
  • A National Senior Certificate.
    Or
  • A National Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • An equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • Introduction to Libraries and Library Services (LIS), NQF Level 5, 8 Credits.
  • Information retrieval and storage, NQF Level 5, 8 Credits.
  • Marketing, Client Liaison and Supervision, NQF Level 5, 9 Credits.
  • Library Administration, NQF Level 5, 8 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 33 Credits.

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • Relevant library and information resources identified and supplied to library, NQF Level 5, 9 Credits.
  • Shelve material accurately according to the library classification systems, NQF Level 5, 7 Credits.
  • Issue and receive library material from library members in a customer friendly manner, NQF Level 5, 7 Credits.
  • Perform acquisitioning and physical processing of books and other library materials according to generally accepted library standards, NQF Level 5, 9 Credits.
  • Perform administrative duties in a library, NQF Level 5, 9 Credits.
  • Market libraries and making services attractive and inviting to users in order to improve a culture of reading, NQF Level 5, 10 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 51 Credits.

    This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules:
  • Information provision to library clients, NQF Level 5, 10 Credits.
  • Circulation of library materials and customer care, NQF Level 5, 8 Credits.
  • Acquiring processes and maintaining records of library material, NQF Level 5, 6 Credits.
  • Support administrative processes in the library, NQF Level 5, 9 Credits.
  • Support marketing, outreach and reading development programmes of the library, NQF Level 5, 10 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 43 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Perform the circulation function in a library.
    2. Perform a basic reference interview and referral to relevant resources.
    3. Sort, shelve and do shelf reading of library material by applying a classification system.
    4. Provide excellent customer care to library users according to the community profile and community needs.
    5. Process and maintain library material and collections.
    6. Analyse, evaluate and discuss library administration.
    7. Introduce library services and resources to library users. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Library resources are issued and returned.
  • Returns, non-returns, late returns and lost library resources are dealt with according to legislative requirements.
  • Membership administration is conducted to maintain the membership system.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • A basic reference interview is conducted to identify the customers' need for information.
  • The information request is accurately analysed and interpreted in order to obtain the correct library sources.
  • Relevant information is accessed and retrieved.
  • Users are referred to other appropriate resources when necessary.
  • Obtaining appropriate information from the customer is displayed.
  • The internet as a source of information and the problems (authenticate) associated with it are evaluated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • A basic knowledge and understanding of various classification systems and their respective sub-classes are demonstrated.
  • Accurate sorting, shelving and shelf reading of library materials are conducted.
  • Importance of shelf reading and accurate sorting and shelving of library material is analysed.
  • Types and formats of library material are correctly identified and the various uses are analysed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • A community profile is analysed and the information is applied to inform the library services and collection development.
  • BathoPele principles are applied when interacting with library users and when requesting information.
  • The effect of sound customer care on the library user and the acceptance of library services in the community is analysed and evaluated.
  • Conflict management as a tool for interaction with clients is analysed and uses are justified.
  • Customer types and customer needs are differentiated and appropriate customer care strategies are identified.
  • The importance of communication with library users and stakeholders is analysed and ways and means to improve communication are assessed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The reasons for maintaining material and the risks of not properly maintaining it are analysed and justified.
  • The importance of the physical appearance, quality of library material and the image of LIS in the community as well as the experience of the library user is evaluated.
  • The importance of and process for the physical preparation of new library material is justified.
  • Methods for the maintenance and mending of current library material are assessed for enhancing the durability of the library material.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Importance of accurate statistics as a reflection of the library service is discussed and justified.
  • Interpretation of statistics and how the information can be used to monitor the LIS and collection development is justified.
  • Ethics related to receiving and recording of funds (moneys) are analysed.
  • Principles of record keeping are discussed and evaluated.
  • Principles of report writing are discussed and evaluated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • The importance of library orientation and user education is evaluated.
  • The effect and importance of information literacy, outreach programmes, displays in the centres, marketing and basic events is analysed and justified.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    External Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria. The external assessment will be conducted through a theoretical assessment by an assessor registered by the AQP at approved assessment centres. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) developed an international qualification, namely International Information Literacy Certificate, which was chosen for this international comparability.

    IFLA as international leader with other Library Information Services (LIS) partners including UNESCO, educational authorities, professional associations and international agencies agreed at a conference in Berlin on the Qualification International Information Literacy Certificate. This qualification consists of the following modules:
  • Module 1: Basic concepts of ICT.
  • Module 2: Information needs analysis and different ways of meeting needs.
  • Module 3: Information seeking strategies and effective access and use of information.
  • Module 4: Evaluation of information accessed.
  • Module 5: Organising, applying and communicating information.
  • Module 6: Synthesising and creating new information.
  • Module 7: Social and legal problems of information access and use.
  • Module 8: Subject-, discipline- and occupation-specific information issues.
  • Module 9: Specific information issues at national and regional level.
  • Module 10: Knowledge management and information issues in organisations.

    Conclusion:
    The competencies described in the modules of the Occupational Certificate: Library Assistant compares well with the competencies of the above international qualification, though the South African terminology is slightly different in some cases. It should be pointed out that the South African qualification includes aspects such as the collection development which is a necessary aspect for the job description of the Library Assistant. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification has both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities with similar or related qualifications for career progression:

    Horizontally:
  • Occupational Certificate: Office Administrator: Public Service Administrator at NQF Level 5.

    Vertically:
  • Diploma: Library and Information Science, at NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma: School Library and Information Science, at NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2015. 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for external assessment:
    In order to qualify for the external summative assessment learners must have a copy of a completed and signed Statement of Work Experience as well as proof of successful completion of the following subjects and modules or alternative programmes where applicable.

    Criteria for the accreditation of providers
    Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

    This Qualification replaces Qualification 58624, "National Certificate: Library and Information Services", Level 5, 123 credits. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.