ULS FACULTY LIBRARIAN PEER REVIEW AND MENTORING

Margarete BowerChemistry Library

UNIVERSITY LIBRARY SYSTEM

Faculty Librarians Master’s in Library Science required

Staff No library degree required Public services, technical services, and administrative support

MODELS FOR ACADEMIC LIBRARIANS

Full Faculty Status Same review criteria and professional ranks as academic faculty Tenure

Academic Status Equally rigorous evaluation and review criteria “Expectation of continuing employment”

Staff Status Usually on a contract basis

Standards and Guidelines of the Association of College and Research Libraries(a division of the American Library Association)

http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlstandards/standardsguidelinestopic.htm

Includes: Guidelines for Academic Status for College and University Librarians Standards for Faculty Status for College and University Librarians

OUTSIDE THE PEER REVIEW PROCESS

Search Committees

Annual Reviews Librarian

Writes a self-assessment for previous year’s work and accomplishments Job performance, professional development, service Suggests goals for the coming year

Supervisor Writes review letter Provides guidance to librarian working toward the next peer review

Review meeting

ULS PEER REVIEW PROCESS

Guidelines for Faculty Librarians: Appointment, Review, Promotion, and Appeal

http://www.library.pitt.edu:8000/manuals/prc.pdf

FACULTY LIBRARIAN RANKSEXPECTATION STREAM

Librarian I Entry level; no prior experience required; M.L.S. required

Librarian II At least 3 years experience; demonstrated progress in job

Librarian III At least 3 years as Librarian II; consistent high-level accomplishment;

evidence of continuing growth

Librarian IV (optional) At least 3 years as Librarian III; performance exceeds standards for

Librarian III; authoritative knowledge; superior professional leadership and contributions

NON-EXPECTATION STREAM LIBRARIANS

Temporary Appointments

Special Projects

PEER REVIEW SCHEDULE

Appointment – Peer review if “expectation” is granted with appointment

Third-year review – Reappointment and promotion from Librarian I to II

Sixth-year review – Expectation of Continuing Employment and promotion to Librarian III

Promotional review to Librarian IV – At least 3 years after Librarian III (optional review)

Initial hiring3rd year

peer review6th year

peer review

Librarian I Librarian II Librarian III

1 2 3 4 5 6

Initial 3 year appointment 3 year reappointment

PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE (PRC)

Nine members

Two-years terms

Alternate electing five members and four

All have “Expectation of Continuing Employment”

REVIEW CRITERIA

Credentials – degree, time of service in position

Job Performance

Professional development and contributions

Service

http://www.library.pitt.edu:8000/manuals/prc.pdf

REVIEW MATERIALS

Faculty librarian’s dossier Resume Job descriptions Personal narrative statement Examples of work done Unsolicited letters from faculty, colleagues, etc. Any other documentation supporting the review

Administrative Personnel File - maintained in the director’s office Resume Job descriptions Annual reviews Supervisor’s letter All review committee reports Letters solicited by the review committee

Outside evaluation letters Solicited by the PRC Librarian may suggest three names “Internal” letters – from the University outside the ULS

Evaluate librarian’s work and interactions “External” letters – from ARL librarians if possible

Evaluate professional contributions based on a packet of material sent by the PRC

Personal Interview – not done routinely

TWO-LEVEL REVIEW

Level I Committee (5 members) Librarians with expectation Same department or related jobs (excludes supervisors and

supervisees) Access to the librarian’s dossier Report goes to the administrative file

Level II Committee Full Peer Review Committee (excludes supervisors and supervisees) Access to librarian’s dossier, administrative file, supervisor’s letter,

Level I committee report, and any solicited evaluation letters Report goes to the administrative file

Committees can request further information or clarification from the librarian if needed

Review is based on: Past accomplishments Potential for meeting criteria for the next review Potential for continued professional growth and

contributions

KEY ROLES

Librarian Be aware of timeline Prepare the dossier Write a narrative statement Suggest names of outside reviewers if requested

Supervisor Mentor librarian Write evaluation letter for the review

Chair of PRC Manage the process for all reviews done Consult with Director to set up review committees Consult with Director to select outside evaluators Solicit outside evaluation letters

PRC review coordinator Member of PRC Contact person for librarian, supervisor, and Level I committee Write PRC report

ULS Director Approve Level I review committee selection Approve outside evaluators Receive Level I and Level II committee reports Review the dossier and administrative file Make a recommendation to the Provost

Schematic Process for a Sixth-Year Review

Level I

Dossier

Level IIReport

Dossier

Administrative File Supervisor letter Evaluation letters

ULS Director

Provost

Report

MENTORING

Supervisor has primary responsibility

PRC Ad Hoc Mentoring Committee PRC members who just finished their PRC term One-year term Open meetings Review dossiers and narrative statements

Guidelines for dossiers and narrative statements

Writing and Speaking Support Group