Training+of+cataloguers,+The+NVQ3+Unit+5


 * Cat and class for the NVQ level 3, Unit 5**

I am pleased to report that the Senior and Principal Information Assistants who recently undertook this unit have now passed!!
 * Update!**


 * NB** The NVQ qualification no longer exists and has been replaced by the Qualification and Credit Framework (**QCF**). The equivalent of the level 3 is the Diploma in Libraries, Archives and Information Services. More info here.


 * What's it all about?**

Training library staff to catalogue and classify can, and should, be a long process; there is much to learn, there are standards to follow, subtleties to get to grips with and local practice to be conscious of. In fact, universities run whole modules on cataloguing and classification (see this example). So the idea of trying to help staff in other areas of the library learn the art over a short period of time and without them necessarily having the time to dedicate to lots of practice, is rather a tall order, and somewhat daunting!

Using a combination of the NVQ3 unit guidelines and unpicking just what exactly the cataloguers do on a day-to-day basis helped in the creation of a suitable [|training schedule]. It is to be hoped that the training would cover all the aspects required by the unit and would also give the "trainees" an opportunity to provide evidence of what they had done and what they had learned.

However, before they could make a start on either the cat or the class, there were a few things that they needed to be aware of! Just a few things! So, a bit of [|background] into cataloguing, into classification and how those roles fitted into the wider "order to shelf" processes.

We are still in the early stages of delivering the programme, but will keep you updated on how it all goes!