SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Understand the development and function of Library and Information Services (LIS) in South Africa 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
123550  Understand the development and function of Library and Information Services (LIS) in South Africa 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Library and Information Studies 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 04 - Communication Studies and Language Information Studies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will serve to introduce the learner to Library and Information services in South Africa. It will equip the learner with a basic understanding of the historical development of libraries and the function, purpose and operation of South African libraries. Furthermore, a basic knowledge of the various concepts, terms and library and information systems will be acquired.

This knowledge and these skills and attitudes will form the foundation for entry into Library and Information services. This unit standard provides the qualifying learner with the basic knowledge to understand the provision of Library and Information services in South Africa.

Learners accredited with this unit standard will be capable of:
  • Understanding library concepts, terms and systems.
  • Describing the historical development of Library and Information services.
  • Describing the function and operation of Library and Information Systems. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner will be competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Understand library concepts, terms and systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The relationship between Library and Information services, information, information science, the information society and information literacy is defined in terms of South African and international practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Library and Information service terms are explained in relation to their purpose in the provision of services. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Terms include, but are not limited to: information systems, classification, catalogue, database, Internet, collection and media.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Types of Library and Information Systems are explained in the South African context. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the historical development of Library and Information services. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The origin and development of libraries are explained in the context of South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The legislation governing Library and Information Services is described in the South African context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The socio-political factors that influenced the development of Library and Information services are explained in the context of South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    An overview of Library and Information services in comparison to worldwide developments is described with reference to South Africa. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the function and operation of Library and Information services. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The types of Library and Information services are described in the South African context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The role of librarians and libraries is described in the context of South African communities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The nature and range of Library and Information services are described in terms of South African context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The range of departments/sections of a library is described in the context of international practice. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation:
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.
  • The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal moderation of assessment.
  • Internal and external moderation should encompass achievement of the integrated competence described in this Unit Standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Historical development of LIS in South Africa.
  • Types of libraries in South Africa.
  • Socio-political factors that influence LIS development in South Africa.
  • Library departments/sections.
  • Functions and roles of librarians and libraries.
  • Library and Information Services concepts, terms and systems.
  • Range of library and information services.
  • Library and Information Services related legislation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems associated with demonstrating an elementary knowledge of the Library and Information services using responsible decision-making and creative thinking. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a work team to provide Library and Information support services. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively at the Library and Information services workplace. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using appropriate modes of oral and/or written persuasion in the provision of Library and Information support services. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world, as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving occurs in a variety of contexts. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  50520   Further Education and Training Certificate: Library Practice  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  ETDP SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.
     
    1. Gender Education & Development Institute (GEDI 
    2. NTI College 
    3. Retshetse Training Project 
    4. Sebenzisanane Human Capital 
    5. South West Gauteng Tvet College 
    6. Sozim Trading and Consultancy 
    7. Tembe Service Providers 
    8. Universal Knowledge Software 
    9. Yellow Media Learning Institute (Pty) Ltd 


    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.