LIBRARY FACULTY HANDBOOK

 

CRITERIA FOR MERIT INCREASES, PROMOTION, AND GRANTING OF TENURE

(Criteria approved 1/5/87 by Library Faculty; subsequent revisions approved by Library Faculty)

 

 

"Faculty status entails for librarians the same rights and responsibilities as for other members of the faculty.  They should have corresponding entitlement to rank, promotion, tenure, compensation, leaves, and research funds, and the protection of academic due process."  (Joint Statement on Faculty Status of College and University Librarians, ACRL, 1972).

 

The WSU Faculty review process is outlined in the WSU Faculty Manual Section III.D (Employment) (http://www.wsu.edu/Faculty_Senate/contents.htm).  General guidelines for criteria used in evaluating library faculty are listed in III.D.3.b.3.  The general criteria are supplemented by the specific criteria listed below. These specific criteria are supplemental to the WSU Faculty Manual, which is the governing document for faculty review.

 

The granting of merit increases, promotion and tenure should be based on the judgments of Library faculty, members of the University faculty outside the Library, and, in the cases of tenure and promotion, professional colleagues outside WSU. Library faculty will be evaluated on performance according to criteria in the following three categories:

 

CATEGORY I:      PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AS A LIBRARIAN;

 

CATEGORY II:     RESEARCH/SCHOLARLY/CREATIVE & PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES;

 

CATEGORY III:    SERVICE TO THE LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY, AND THE PUBLIC

 

Library faculty must meet expectations in all three categories; achievement in one category cannot substitute for inadequacies in the other categories. During the first year of service, the emphasis of expectation should focus on Category I criteria. Demonstrated merit and evidence of developing excellence are essential for increases in salary, advances in rank, and the granting of tenure.

 

Application of the criteria in each of the three categories will vary depending on individual assignment(s). Many librarians must manage units as part of their primary responsibilities. Management effectiveness is critical to the provision of Library services; thus it is included in the Category I criteria. In addition, top Library administrators will be evaluated on their administrative effectiveness as part of the considerations for the granting of salary increases, promotion, and tenure.

 

The WSU Faculty Manual states that:  "Tenure is granted only for academic rank of professional status within programs, departments, or service units. Department Chairs, School Directors, Deans, Directors, and other administrative officers do not acquire tenure in administrative positions." (III.D.5.a)

 

 

CATEGORY I:   PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AS A LIBRARIAN

 

Each librarian must demonstrate competence and evidence of developing excellence in his/her primary area(s) of responsibility, and maintain cooperative relations with faculty and staff. The following are examples of specific criteria for each area of responsibility:

 

A.   Direct Reference Services

      Demonstrates competence and good judgment in assisting all Library users to locate information.

 

1.   Correctly discerns and interprets user requests and questions.

2.   Demonstrates competence in using reference materials and other resources.

3.      Demonstrates expertise in appropriate academic subject areas.

4.   Maintains positive working relationships with personnel in academic departments or programs.

5.   Demonstrates a willingness to assist users, persisting beyond conventional sources to provide desired information.

6.   Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of users' needs.

7.   Effectively communicates knowledge of library organization, policy and goals to users and academic departments.

8.   Demonstrates understanding of acquisitions, bibliographic organization and control.

 

B.   Collection Development

Demonstrates good professional judgment, fiscal responsibility, and competence in selecting library materials, in whatever format is appropriate including electronic, in support of the current needs and long-range goals of the Libraries. Demonstrates knowledge of licensing procedures and restrictions appropriate to the librarian's responsibilities.

 

1.       Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of the library collection, particularly in assigned academic subject areas.

2.       Demonstrates knowledge of the curriculum, research, and other library-related activities of the University departments represented within an individual's assigned academic subject areas.

3.       Demonstrates competence and good judgment in selecting and deselecting materials in all formats, both in assigned subject areas and interdisciplinary fields.

4.       Maintains positive working relationships with personnel in academic departments or programs in assigned subject areas.

 

C.   Instruction in Library Use

      Demonstrates competence in instructing users on the effective use of library resources.

 

1.   Uses knowledge of representative literature and current trends in the subject areas of an individual's library division during instructional sessions.

2.   Instructs users on accessing specialty resource collections within the WSU Libraries and on relevant external collections.

3.   Effectively communicates knowledge of applicable resources within appropriate academic subject areas.

4.   Develops effective instructional materials relevant to the needs of the individuals and groups served.

5.   Demonstrates competence in the presentation of instructional sessions to the individuals and groups served by the Library.

6.   Demonstrates knowledge of research strategies and the teaching of research skills.

 

D.   Bibliographic Organization and Control

Demonstrates competence in establishing and maintaining bibliographic systems that facilitate the organization and control of library resources.

 

1.       Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of past and present cataloging rules.

2.       Competently applies currently accepted cataloging rules to produce high quality cataloging for all types of materials.

3.       Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of classification tables and subject heading schedules.

4.       Demonstrates knowledge in the creation and application of metadata to facilitate effective access to digital information.

5.       Demonstrates competence in the use of automated library systems and knowledge of current developments.

6.       Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of library users.

 

E.   Acquisition of Library/Media Resources

Demonstrates competence in establishing and maintaining procedures for the effective and economical acquisition of library or media resources.

 

1.       Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the book or media trade and other sources of library/media materials.

2.       Demonstrates competence in ordering, receiving and paying for library/media materials.

3.       Demonstrates understanding of bibliographic citation techniques and descriptive cataloging.

4.       Demonstrates competence in the use of automated systems and knowledge of current developments.

5.       Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of library users.

6.       Successfully monitors budgetary expenditures and reports the results.

 

F.   Access Services

Demonstrates competence in establishing and maintaining procedures designed to facilitate user access to WSU library collections and resources, and to the collections and resources made available through agreements with other colleges, universities, organizations, and institutions.

 

1.       Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of automated circulation, reserves, and/or interlibrary loan systems.

2.       Demonstrates understanding of agreements governing resource sharing among WSU campuses and programs, between WSU and relevant library consortia, and between WSU and providers of Direct Document Delivery services.

3.       Demonstrates competence in managing and fulfilling requests for material through circulation, interlibrary loan, and/or document delivery services.

4.       Demonstrates understanding of copyright law and licensing agreements as related to access services.

5.       Demonstrates understanding of services available to distance users.

6.       Demonstrates ability to generate statistical analyses of access services and to communicate relevant information to appropriate units and individuals within the Libraries.

7.       Demonstrates competence in space/stacks planning and management.

8.       Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of library users.

9.       Demonstrates competence in monitoring financial transactions (e.g., fees, fines, transaction charges) and providing budgetary accountability through appropriate reports.

 

G.   Automated Systems Activities

Demonstrates competence in the use, evaluation and/or development of automated systems which support the principal activities and services of the Libraries, including mainframe as well as microcomputer-based applications.

 

1.       Demonstrates understanding of existing system capabilities as well as general knowledge of current developments in library automation.

2.       Designs effective and efficient means of evaluating library systems and provides appropriate analyses of such evaluation.

3.       Demonstrates effectiveness in undertaking needs analyses, preparing specifications and assisting in the design, testing, and implementation of enhancements to the Libraries' automated systems.

4.       Effectively communicates knowledge of library automated systems activity to staff in the Libraries and to other appropriate departments and individuals within the University.

5.       Maintains positive working relationships with Information Technology (IT) personnel as well as with staff in other library units.

6.       Willingly assist, when appropriate, in the instruction of library staff in automated systems activities and procedures.

H.   Management Effectiveness

Demonstrates good judgment and competence in directing and guiding library employees.  Some criteria apply only to librarians who supervise library staff, while others also apply to those who have a coordination function without supervisory responsibilities.  These criteria will apply to managers who are not unit heads.

 

1.       Establishes and achieves goals and objectives in area of responsibility.

2.       Maintains constructive working environment for employees.

3.       Effectively plans and coordinates resources within budgetary constraints.

4.       Competently monitors and directs the performance of employees supervised.

5.       Delegates authority when appropriate or necessary.

6.       Communicates effectively with supervised employees and other personnel in the libraries.

7.       Effectively represent the libraries to the rest of the university and promote ongoing efforts for cooperation and collaboration.

8.       Assists in the selection of competent, well-qualified employees in area of responsibility.

9.       Impartially evaluates the performance of supervised employees.

 

I.   Administrative Effectiveness

      “Since the Senior Adminstrators of the WSU Libraries make recommendations that affect library faculty and staff system-wide and that affect the relationship of the WSU Libraries to the WSU community, comments from all library personnel will be solicited by the Director of Libraries during the annual review process.  Where appropriate, individuals outside the WSU Libraries will also be invited to comment on the performance of an administrator.”  (This paragraph was approved at Lib Fac Meeting, 3/25/96, to replace the 4-year administrative review procedure that was instituted by the Library Faculty in 6/92.)

 

These criteria are applicable only to the following positions:

·         Director of Libraries

·         Assistant Directors

·         Unit Heads

 

1.   Represents users' interests and needs in setting library goals and objectives.

a.  Periodically assesses users' needs.

b.  Demonstrates competence in analyzing, planning and creating effective library services.

 

2.   Provides effective leadership in the following areas:

a.  Formation and achievement of library goals and objectives

b.  Formation and execution of library policies and procedures

c.  Coordination and management of unit resources

d.  Development of innovative procedures, operations and/or services

e.  Representation of the Library to the university administration and the public.

 

3.   Demonstrates good judgment in the preparation of budget requests and justifications for unit resources:

a.  Solicits extramural funding for special library projects.

b.  Successfully monitors budgetary expenditures and reports the results.

 

4.   Demonstrates competence in personnel administration.

a.  Provides a congenial working environment for colleagues and staff.

b.  Supports and encourages collegial participation.

c.  Effectively promotes the image of librarians within the university community.

d.  Provides opportunities for professional growth and staff development.

e.  Motivates staff to perform effectively and efficiently.

f.   Impartially evaluates the achievements and performance of library personnel according to established criteria

 

5.   Demonstrates effectiveness in communication and interpersonal relations.

a.  Competently communicates with library and university personnel.

b.  Demonstrates a commitment to the dissemination of information within the university community.

 

 

 

CATEGORY II:  RESEARCH/SCHOLARLY/CREATIVE & PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Since "The everyday professional activities of librarians [may] bring them into contact with the entire realm of knowledge," (from Geahigan, Priscilla, et al, "Acceptability of Non-Library/Information Science Publications in the Promotion and Tenure of Academic Librarians," College & Research Libraries, Nov. 1981: 571-575) research/scholarly/creative and professional activities in any area will be supported by the Libraries and will be given credit in assignment of merit ratings and promotion and tenure decisions.  See Sec. 3.b.1.a. for Professional Activity Time (PAT) Guidelines.  Research/scholarly/creative and professional contributions will be evaluated for quality, quantity, and professional significance.  Credit in the form of increased merit rating should be awarded at the time of publication, funding, exhibition, or performance.  The following activities are examples and are not listed in priority order.

 

A.   Formal Publications

1.   Publication of a monograph or book.

2.   Publication of articles in refereed journals.

3.   Publication of articles in non-refereed journals.

4.   Contribution of a chapter or an article in a monograph or book.

5.   Publication of substantial bibliographies.

6.      Editing, compiling or indexing any substantial published work.

7.      Production and public release, in an electronic format, of any of the above named “traditional” published products. (See page 3.b.1.a.1 for "Guidelines for Evaluation of Electronic Publications")

 

B.   Presentations

1.   Presentations at meetings, conferences, or workshops.

2.      Presentations to local groups.

3.   Giving workshops.

4.   Presentation of research/scholarly/creative exhibits/programs.

 

C.   Professional Activities

1.   Active membership in international, national, regional, state, and/or local professional organizations.  (Active membership means holding office, chairing or being a member of active committees, presenting papers at symposia, conferences, annual meetings, conducting workshops, etc.).

2.   Service as moderator or panelist at international or national conventions.

3.   Service as moderator or panelist at regional or state conventions.

4.   Service as organizer of professional meetings.

5.   Service as editor of an academic or professional publication or journal.

6.       Service as referee to a professional and/or scholarly journal.

7.   Book and audio-visual material reviewing and/or abstracting.

8.   Professional consulting or advisory services outside the university.  (See definition of consulting, Sec. 3.b, page 2 of 2).

9.   Substantial contributions to educational, scientific, cultural, civic organizations and/or private or governmental agencies at community, state, regional, national, or international levels.

10.  Demonstration of ability to procure funding, grants, or donor gifts.

11.  Recognitions and outstanding achievements (awards, honor societies, etc.).

 

D.   Continuing Education

1.   Completion of an additional advanced degree.

2.   Coursework undertaken to expand professional competence.

3.   Attendance at professional or scholarly seminars, workshops, or meetings.

 

 

CATEGORY III.  SERVICE TO THE LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY, AND THE PUBLIC

 

Professional service efforts may be at the local, state, regional, national, or international level.  The following activities are examples and will be evaluated on a qualitative and quantitative basis.

 

A.   Library Service

1.   Active participation on library working groups, committees and task forces.

2.   Service as a representative of the library to professional or governmental bodies or agencies.

3.   Service as editor or contributor to in-house publications such as Library Update and The Record.

4.   Preparation of exhibits or programs within the Libraries.

 

B.   University Service

1.   Active participation on university and university-related committees and task forces.

2.   Participation in university governance (Senate officer, Senator, etc.).

3.   Presentations or seminars to, or consultations with, faculty and student groups within theuniversity relating to professional matters.

4.   Service as an advisor to student groups recognized by the university.

5.   Service as a representative of the university to professional or governmental bodies or agencies.

6.   Consulting or advisory service to WSU off-campus programs or research/extension stations.

7.   Preparation of exhibits or programs within the university.

 

C.   Service to the Public

1.   Presentation of informational public lectures or addresses.

2.   Service to community libraries, museums or historical societies.

 

 

MODELS FOR LIBRARY FACULTY PROMOTION AND TENURE
(Approved at 03/13/07 Library Faculty Meeting)