How you’d get it
How you’d get this certificate
- Zavmo teaches you. You learn the units one-to-one with an AI tutor, on your own work.
- You register with an approved centre. That is a college, training provider or employer BIIAB has approved to offer this qualification. Zavmo is not an approved centre, so you register with them, not with us.
- The centre assesses, and BIIAB awards. A qualified assessor at the centre judges your evidence, and the certificate comes from BIIAB.
01What it is
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These are the units BIIAB registers against this qualification. It is a catalogue, not a syllabus. Which of them you take depends on the combination the qualification requires, and that is set by the awarding body rather than by us. Every unit here is regulated. Zavmo teaches towards them on your own work, and work done here is recognised as prior learning under the agreements we hold.
Zavmo is not an awarding body, is not an approved centre, and is not affiliated with BIIAB. It does the teaching and the mapping. BIIAB sets this qualification and awards it, and a qualified human assessor makes the assessment decision.
Free first step
Try a free Future Fluency lesson first
The free part is a Future Fluency lesson on using AI at work. It is not part of this qualification. Next, a free account. We build your plan for this qualification as you set up. Teaching towards this qualification begins when you subscribe.
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02The units
What each unit actually teaches you to do
Allocating and checking work in a team Real unit · BIIAB
You'll gain knowledge of legal, regulatory, and sector requirements for allocating and checking work within a team. The unit develops skills in planning work, communicating requirements, supporting team members, and monitoring progress to ensure tasks are completed successfully and compliantly.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the legal, regulatory and sector requirements relating to allocating and checking work in a team.
- Understand key contextual information relating to allocating and checking work in a team.
- Plan the work of a team effectively.
- Communicate work requirements clearly to a team.
- Support the work of the team to ensure successful completion.
- Check the quality of the work of the team to ensure it meets required standards.
Approaches to the organisation of information and/or material Real unit · BIIAB
You'll study the processes involved in handling information and material within Libraries, Archives or Information Services (LAIS) organisations, including accessioning, cataloguing, indexing, and classification methods.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the processes involved in handling information and/or material within a Libraries, Archives or Information Services (LAIS) organisation
- Understand the accessioning procedures for information and/or material within a LAIS organisation
- Understand the cataloguing processes for information and/or material within a LAIS organisation
- Understand the indexing processes for information and/or material within a LAIS organisation
- Understand the classification methods used for information and/or material within a LAIS organisation
- Understand the use of ICT systems in relation to accessing information and/or material within a LAIS organisation
Creating and Maintaining a User Focussed Environment Real unit · BIIAB
This unit develops learners' ability to maintain acceptable standards within LAIS facilities, minimise disruption to users, manage user feedback, provide clear directions, and create a positive user environment.
What you'll be able to do
- Maintain acceptable standards for users of Libraries, Archives or Information Services (LAIS) facilities.
- Understand how to minimise disruption to users of Libraries, Archives or Information Services.
- Deal effectively with users’ comments and feedback.
- Provide clear and accurate directions on the use of facilities within the LAIS.
- Set up a display to promote resources or services.
- Maintain and dismantle a display safely and effectively.
Creating and maintaining a user-focussed environment Real unit · BIIAB
You'll develop the ability to maintain a user-focussed environment in LAIS facilities by upholding standards, minimising disruption, managing user comments, providing directions, and creating displays.
What you'll be able to do
- Maintain acceptable standards for users of Libraries, Archives or Information Services (LAIS) facilities, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
- Understand how to minimise disruption to LAIS users, taking into account their needs and the environment.
- Deal with users’ comments in a professional and constructive manner, following organisational guidelines.
- Provide clear and accurate directions on the use of facilities to users.
- Create a display that is visually appealing and informative.
- Maintain a display to ensure it remains effective and up-to-date.
Developing productive working relationships with colleagues Real unit · BIIAB
You'll develop an understanding of legal, regulatory, and contextual factors affecting productive working relationships with colleagues. The unit covers relevant legislation, organisational policies, and the importance of professional conduct to foster positive and effective workplace interactions.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand relevant legal, regulatory and sector requirements relating to developing productive relationships with colleagues.
- Understand key issues relating to developing productive relationships with colleagues.
- Understand key contextual information relating to developing productive relationships with colleagues.
- Create positive working relationships with colleagues.
- Maintain effective working relationships with colleagues over time.
Engaging with the wider community Real unit · BIIAB
You'll explore the needs of the wider community in relation to Libraries, Archives or Information Services (LAIS) and understand the benefits of community engagement. The unit also covers the use of ICT in LAIS work and develops skills in consulting with diverse community groups.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the Libraries, Archives or Information Services (LAIS) needs of the wider community, including diverse user groups
- Understand the benefits of working with the community for a LAIS organisation, such as increased engagement and support
- Understand the use of ICT in the work of a LAIS organisation with the wider community, including online resources and communication tools
- Engage in consultation with the wider community to identify their needs and preferences
- Evaluate a consultation activity to determine its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement
Family History Real unit · BIIAB
You'll understand how to organise family history information effectively and use various sources such as birth, marriage, death records, and online resources. The unit includes applying search techniques to trace ancestry.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand how to organise family history information effectively, using appropriate methods and tools.
- Understand how to use sources for births, marriages and deaths to trace family history.
- Understand how to use other sources for researching family history, such as census records, wills, and parish registers.
- Use a range of search techniques to trace family history on the internet, critically evaluating the information found.
Health Information Real unit · BIIAB
It teaches you to understand the importance of evidence-based information in healthcare and develop skills to use key sources effectively. You'll refine search techniques to meet user needs and support users in accessing reliable and relevant health information.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the importance of evidence-based information within the field of health
- Use key sources of evidence–based healthcare information
- Refine searches for evidence-based documents to meet specific user needs
- Support users in accessing relevant health information
Helping users to obtain access to information and/or material Real unit · BIIAB
This unit develops learners' skills in establishing user information needs and requirements, conducting effective searches, selecting appropriate methods of supply, and communicating courteously with users. You'll ensure users receive accurate and relevant information or materials.
What you'll be able to do
- Establish user needs and requirements accurately.
- Conduct a search for users to locate relevant information and/or material.
- Select appropriate methods of supply to provide users with the required information and/or material.
- Communicate courteously and effectively with users throughout the process.
Helping users to obtain access to information and/or material Real unit · BIIAB
This unit equips learners with skills to establish user needs, conduct effective searches, select appropriate supply methods, and communicate courteously with users seeking information or materials.
What you'll be able to do
- Establish user needs and requirements accurately
- Conduct effective searches for users based on their needs and requirements
- Select appropriate methods of supply for information and/or material
- Communicate courteously and professionally with users at all times
Issuing information and/or material Real unit · BIIAB
You'll be able to implement access arrangements for information and materials, ensuring compliance with policies and legal requirements. The unit includes providing authorised access and processing requests accurately.
What you'll be able to do
- Implement access arrangements for information and/or material, ensuring compliance with organisational policies and legal requirements.
- Provide access to information and/or material to authorised users in a timely and efficient manner.
- Process requests for information and/or material accurately and effectively, following established procedures.
Leading a team Real unit · BIIAB
You'll develop knowledge of legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements relevant to leading a team. The unit also covers providing direction, motivating and supporting team members, and monitoring performance to achieve team objectives within a compliant and effective leadership framework.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand relevant legal requirements relating to leading a team
- Understand relevant regulatory requirements relating to leading a team
- Understand relevant ethical requirements relating to leading a team
- Understand key contextual information relating to leading a team effectively
- Provide clear direction to members of a team
- Motivate members of a team to achieve objectives
- Support members of a team in their roles
- Monitor the performance of members of a team
Local Studies Real unit · BIIAB
You'll gain an understanding of the role and contribution of local studies services within the library and information sector. The unit covers the types of sources in local studies collections, collection policies, care of materials, and methods to create access to local studies information.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the role of the local studies service within the wider library and information sector
- Understand the different types of sources found in a local studies collection
- Understand the purpose and content of a local studies collection policy
- Understand how to care for local studies materials to ensure their preservation
- Create access to local studies information for users
Locating and replacing information and/or material Real unit · BIIAB
You'll develop the ability to safely and securely obtain, check, process, and replace information and materials within an organisation. The unit covers procedures, hazard identification, and maintaining the condition and arrangement of resources according to organisational standards.
What you'll be able to do
- Obtain information and/or material safely and securely from designated storage areas within the organisation
- Check the condition of information and/or material for damage or deterioration
- Check the arrangement of information and/or material to ensure it is correctly organised
- Process returned information and/or material according to organisational procedures
- Replace information and/or materials safely and securely in the correct storage location
Managing own resources and professional development Real unit · BIIAB
You'll understand key issues and contextual factors relating to managing their own resources and professional development. The unit covers time management, continuous professional development benefits, planning and evaluating development activities to enhance skills and knowledge.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand key issues relating to managing own resources and professional development.
- Understand key contextual information relating to managing own resources and professional development.
- Understand own work role and future aspirations to inform professional development planning.
- Plan own professional development activities to enhance skills and knowledge.
- Evaluate own professional development and performance to identify areas for improvement.
Palaeography Real unit · BIIAB
This unit introduces learners to palaeography by examining handwriting styles used in English documents from 1500 to 1800. It covers the use of Latin, set forms, abbreviations, and conventions for dates, numbers, and currency, enabling learners to transcribe historical documents accurately.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the different styles of handwriting used in documents written in English between 1500 and 1800
- Understand the characteristics of handwriting used in documents written in English between 1500 and 1800
- Understand the use of Latin in documents written before 1733
- Understand the use of set forms in documents written between 1500 and 1800
- Understand the use of abbreviations in documents written between 1500 and 1800
- Understand how dates were recorded in documents written between 1500 and 1800
- Understand how numbers were recorded in documents written between 1500 and 1800
- Understand how currency was recorded in documents written between 1500 and 1800
- Understand how to transcribe documents written between 1500 and 1800
Promoting Libraries, Archives and Information Services Real unit · BIIAB
You'll understand the purpose and nature of promotional activities for Libraries, Archives and Information Services (LAIS), including identifying target audiences. The unit develops skills to plan, undertake, and evaluate promotional activities to raise awareness of LAIS services.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the purpose and nature of promotional activities for Libraries, Archives and Information Services (LAIS), including raising awareness and attracting new users
- Understand target audiences for promotional activities, considering their demographics, interests, and needs
- Undertake a promotional activity, such as creating a display, organising an event, or using social media
- Evaluate a promotional activity to determine its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement
Protecting, securing and copying information and/or material Real unit · BIIAB
This unit develops learners' skills to protect information and materials from damage, loss, or unauthorised access in line with organisational policies and legal requirements. It also covers risk minimisation and monitoring user handling.
What you'll be able to do
- Protect information and/or material from damage, loss, or unauthorised access, in accordance with organisational policies and legal requirements.
- Minimise the risks to the safety of stored information and/or material and storage areas, implementing appropriate security measures.
- Monitor and respond to users’ handling of information and/or material, providing guidance and support as needed.
- Copy information and/or material accurately and efficiently, adhering to copyright regulations and organisational procedures.
Providing induction and orientation activities for users Real unit · BIIAB
It teaches you to plan, deliver, and evaluate induction and orientation activities for users. It covers understanding the purpose of these activities, addressing user needs, and collabourating with relevant parties.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the nature and purpose of induction and orientation activities for users, including their benefits and limitations.
- Plan induction and orientation activities for users, taking into account their needs and the resources available.
- Review the plan with other parties, such as colleagues or supervisors, to ensure it is appropriate and effective.
- Deliver induction and orientation activities for users in a clear and engaging manner.
- Evaluate induction and orientation activities for users to identify areas for improvement.
Reader Development Real unit · BIIAB
This unit provides learners with an understanding of reader development, including factors influencing reader choice such as genre and author impact. You'll explore the role of library staff and peer recommendations in promoting reading material and consider key issues affecting reading promotion.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand how readers choose what to read, considering factors such as genre, author, and reviews
- Understand the role of library staff in promoting reader development through activities and resources
- Understand the role of peer recommendation in reader development and how to facilitate it
- Understand key issues relevant to the promotion of reading material, including accessibility and diversity
- Promote reading material effectively to different audiences
- Use ICT tools and platforms to promote reader development and engagement
School Librarianship Real unit · BIIAB
This unit equips learners with the skills to manage school library resources effectively, support learning through resource use, implement cross-partnership working, and maintain a suitable school library environment. You'll manage budgets, inventories, and provide guidance to users.
What you'll be able to do
- Manage school library service resources effectively.
- Use resources within a school library to support learning and teaching.
- Implement cross-partnership working to enhance the school library service.
- Maintain a school library environment that is conducive to learning and research.
Supporting users to make use of digital resources Real unit · BIIAB
This unit covers the range and types of digital resources available to users and develops learners' skills in supporting users to search for information and communicate using these resources. It also addresses internet safety issues and organisational policies relevant to digital resource use.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the range and types of digital resources available for users.
- Support users in searching for information using digital resources.
- Support users to communicate using digital resources.
- Understand issues relating to internet safety and own organisation’s policies around internet use.
- Understand how own ICT skills can be updated.
Supporting users to make use of digital resources Real unit · BIIAB
You'll gain knowledge of the range and types of digital resources available to users and develop skills to support users in searching and communicating using these resources. The unit also addresses internet safety and organisational policies.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the range and types of digital resources that are available for users.
- Support users in effectively searching for information using digital resources.
- Support users to communicate effectively using digital resources.
- Understand issues relating to internet safety and the organisation’s policies regarding internet use.
- Understand how to update own ICT skills to meet the needs of users.
Understanding a Libraries, Archives or Information Service organisation Real unit · BIIAB
This unit provides learners with an understanding of LAIS organisations, including their functions, policies, stakeholder roles, user requirements, and collabourative working practices within the sector.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the key aspects and functions of a Libraries, Archives or Information Services (LAIS) organisation.
- Understand the key policies and procedures operating within a LAIS organisation.
- Understand the role and responsibilities of key stakeholders associated with a LAIS organisation.
- Understand the diverse requirements of the users of a LAIS organisation.
- Understand how to effectively work as part of a team within a LAIS organisation.
Understanding a Libraries, Archives or Information Services organisation Real unit · BIIAB
This unit offers learners a comprehensive understanding of Libraries, Archives or Information Services (LAIS) organisations, including their mission, values, services, and key policies. You'll also examine the roles of stakeholders and user requirements, and how to work effectively within a LAIS team.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand key aspects of a Libraries, Archives or Information Services (LAIS) organisation, including its mission, values, and services
- Understand key policies of a LAIS organisation, such as data protection, safeguarding, and equality and diversity
- Understand the role of key stakeholders of a LAIS organisation, including staff, volunteers, and users
- Understand the requirements of the users of a LAIS organisation, including their information needs and accessibility requirements
- Understand how to work as part of a team in a Libraries, Archives and Information Services organisation, contributing to shared goals
Understanding the Libraries, Archives and Information Services environment Real unit · BIIAB
You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the LAIS sector, including the roles of different organisations, current trends and developments, relevant legislation, and the role of national professional bodies.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the role of key types of organisations operating within the Libraries, Archives and Information Services (LAIS) sector.
- Understand current trends and developments impacting the LAIS sector.
- Understand the importance of key legislation relevant to the LAIS sector.
- Understand the role and function of national professional organisations within the LAIS sector.
Understanding the Libraries, Archives and Information Services environment Real unit · BIIAB
It teaches you to understand the Libraries, Archives and Information Services (LAIS) environment by examining key organisation types, sector trends and developments, relevant legislation, and the role of national professional bodies. You'll appreciate how these factors influence LAIS work.
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the role of key types of organisations in the Libraries, Archives and Information Services (LAIS) sector
- Understand the potential impact of trends and developments on organisations in the LAIS sector
- Understand the importance of key legislation for organisations in the LAIS sector
- Understand the role of national professional organisations in the LAIS sector
03The standards
The national standards these units are built against
What the job actually needs, in the words employers and awarding bodies already use for the work itself.
- Standard
Develop and maintain effective relationships with relevant external bodies
- Standard
Develop productive working relationships with colleagues
- Standard
Find and store digital information
- Standard
Maintain a library of materials for use on a trading website
- Standard
Manage and Maintain an Audio or Audio-Visual Library
- Standard
Manage and publish information relating to democratic and decision making processes
- Standard
Manage your own resources and professional development
- Standard
Promote resources and services
- Standard
Provide leadership for your team
- Standard
Search information, evidence and knowledge resources and communicate the results
04The credits
The credits, and who awards them
Level 3 credits are regulated, and they are awarded by BIIAB rather than by Zavmo. They don’t vanish when a subscription ends or a website closes. They travel to any employer, and Zavmo keeps the map of what you have covered and what is next.
What you would be collecting
Allocating and checking work in a teamApproaches to the organisation of information and/or materialCreating and Maintaining a User Focussed EnvironmentCreating and maintaining a user-focussed environmentDeveloping productive working relationships with colleaguesEngaging with the wider communityFamily HistoryHealth Information
Each one is a real unit registered against this qualification.
How you’d practise it
You don’t watch this. You do it.
You are not assessed on remembering this. You are assessed on applying it, analysing it, evaluating it and producing something. So that is what the practice is: projects, role play and your own live cases, with a tutor in the room.
The Coach · your practice partner Illustration The Coach You have to tell the team what “Allocating and checking work in a team” means for them next month. Say it to me now, the way you would say it to them.
You The new process goes live on the 3rd and full training will be provided.
The Coach That is the announcement. Now try the one that starts with the bit they are going to hate, and we will see which you would rather receive.
- Lead it Apply
“Allocating and checking work in a team” is practised on the team you actually have. You talk through the call you are about to make, and Zavmo makes you say it the way you would say it to them.
What you leave holding
The standards this credential builds, in the shape the product keeps them
Nothing here is marked learned. There is no learner on a public page, so the map shows what the qualification covers rather than what anybody has done.
BIIAB Level 3 Diploma in Libraries, Archives and Information Services
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with relevant external bodies
- Develop productive working relationships with colleagues
- Find and store digital information
- Maintain a library of materials for use on a trading website
- Manage and Maintain an Audio or Audio-Visual Library
- Manage and publish information relating to democratic and decision making processes
- Manage your own resources and professional development
- Promote resources and services
How you would learn this
One to one, on the work you already do
A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.
A lesson from Allocating and checking work in a team, one of this qualification's own units.
Applied to your own work
Learners will gain knowledge of legal, regulatory, and sector requirements for allocating and checking work within a team. The unit develops skills in planning work, communicating requirements, supporting team members, and monitoring progress to ensure tasks are completed successfully and compliantly.
How the thinking builds
- 1 Remember
- 2 Understand
- 3 Apply
- 4 Analyse
- 5 Evaluate
- 6 Create
It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time. Teaching towards this qualification begins when you subscribe.
Built for BIIAB Level 3 Diploma in Libraries, Archives and Information Services
24 units in this credential, in the order it lists them, awarded by BIIAB.
- Allocating and checking work in a team
- Approaches to the organisation of information and/or material
- Creating and Maintaining a User Focussed Environment
- Creating and maintaining a user-focussed environment
- Developing productive working relationships with colleagues
- Engaging with the wider community
and 18 more in the full unit list below.
Free tools
Want a read on where you stand?
Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.
Learned on your own work, taught one-to-one.
Everything you just read, learned one-to-one on the job you already do. Your free first module is Future Fluency, so you can see how the teaching works before you pay for anything.
Build my plan, freeNo card. See how this qualification maps onto your role and meet the tutors who’d teach it, free. The learning begins when you subscribe. It’s £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.
The title, level, credits, guided learning hours and unit learning outcomes on this page are taken from the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Where this data comes from.