Faculty Status for Professional Librarians

Professional Librarian positions are those that the Director of University Libraries recommends and the Provost certifies as meeting the following criteria: the professional duties performed require an advanced degree and involve policy-setting and/or decision-making in roles that assist the teaching and research mission of the institution. Duties can involve direct instruction, either on a one-to-one basis or in classroom settings.

These positions are in the employment category of exempt staff. The Director of University Libraries will oversee the hiring process for professional librarians in consultation with the Provost and the Vice President of People and Culture. Letters of employment for these positions are issued by the Provost, in consultation with the Vice President of People and Culture. Professional librarians are evaluated annually using standard staff evaluation tools.

For these positions, faculty status is defined as follows:

A.  Part-Time

1. Can attend Faculty Retreat and meetings of the faculty (without vote).
2. Those who have been employed by the university for three years and who work the equivalent of two courses per year (12 hours per week or more) can receive faculty professional travel funds on a pro-rated basis.
3. Part-time professional librarians do not qualify for sabbatical leave.

B.  Full-Time

1. Can serve on faculty committees.
2. Can attend Faculty Retreat and vote in meetings of the faculty.
3. May apply for:
   1. Reimbursement for tuition for graduate studies.
   2. Faculty professional travel funds on a pro-rated basis.
   3. Participation in faculty development workshops.

Faculty tenure, rank, and promotion policies do not apply. However, in 2007 a system of rank and processes for change in rank was established for professional librarians who are serving in a full-time position. Procedures surrounding a change in rank involve creation of a portfolio and review by a faculty committee, with a recommendation to the Provost. These policies are in a memorandum on the professional librarian status filed in the Office of People and culture and in the Office of the Provost.

Sabbatical Leaves: As with administrative sabbaticals, these require special consideration and approval, based upon a proposed study/research project of importance to the role; only those working on a 40-hour week/12 month basis (equivalent to a full faculty teaching load) are eligible to apply. Applications are made to the Provost.

Office of the Provost