FACULTY LIBRARIAN
Criteria for Tenure
In this time of technological advancement and information
explosion, an academic library is in a constant state of change. Libraries face
the challenge of adapting to changes in material format and changes in method of
access, which then influences new and revised service delivery. The faculty
librarian is at the center of this whirlwind -- working within the library to
influence and accommodate change; working within the college to assist the
community in adapting to change and to assure service delivery that meets
instructional needs.
The faculty librarian at Highline Community College has an atypical role within
the faculty ranks. The librarian is a classroom instructor. The librarian also
serves as a direct service provider for research and reference assistance to
students and faculty, and as member of the total service team of the library.
The long-term growth and health of the library and the institution requires that
the librarian be competent in all of these areas.
QUALIFICATIONS CONCERNING TENURE.
·
MLS from an ALA-accredited school and Washington State
certification.
·
Evidence of specific knowledge and skills appropriate to
appointed position and consistent with hiring expectations and current
program needs.
·
Demonstrated effectiveness as an academic librarian and as
a member of college library staff.
·
Demonstrated effectiveness as a teacher at the college
level.
·
Demonstrated service to the college and/or the
profession.
The first of these qualifications will have been addressed during
the hiring process. The tenure working committee will consider all
qualifications in making its quarterly recommendations regarding continuance and
tenure to the Tenure Review Committee. For the probationer to benefit from
evaluation by the working committee, there should be a mentoring relationship in
which the committee identifies strengths and weaknesses in the probationer’s
performance. The working committee will evaluate the faculty librarian using
criteria including but not limited to the following items:
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ACADEMIC LIBRARIAN AND LIBRARY STAFF MEMBER
A Highline faculty librarian initiates contact and maintains
rapport with other faculty members for the purpose of:
a. selecting
library materials appropriate to curricular projects, reflecting the needs of
both students and faculty.
b. developing
stand-alone information competency instruction in response to curriculum needs.
c. developing
library services and integrated information competency instruction to meet
specific curriculum needs.
d. exchanging
information regarding specific instructional needs of students.
e. assisting faculty with their information needs.
A Highline faculty librarian demonstrates effective service to
students, faculty, and staff in respect to:
a. availability
for consultation.
b. delivery of
library instruction.
c. knowledge of
materials and resources.
d. understanding
of the problems, abilities, and interests of students.
e. establishing
rapport with all types of patrons.
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A Highline faculty librarian, with a knowledge of the
instructional programs and support activities of the college, plans for and
participates in the assessment, development and maintenance of the library
collection.
A Highline faculty librarian demonstrates commitment to the
library:
a. regularly
attends and participates in reference and library staff meetings.
b. works with
the director and other staff members in developing library goals, planning
specific library programs, and devising policies and procedures.
c. participates
on library committees and projects, such as safety, automation, or training.
d. develops effective working relationships both
individually and in groups:
·
demonstrates effective collaborative skills including
flexibility, enthusiasm, reliability, courtesy and humor.
·
communicates effectively through initiating and
maintaining meaningful dialog.
A Highline faculty librarian maintains necessary office routine
by:
a. scheduling
daily activities, such as library instruction, appointments, and other
professional activities.
b. keeping
appropriate statistical records and preparing timely periodic reports.
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TEACHING
A
Highline faculty librarian demonstrates quality teaching and concern
for improving the quality of teaching through:
a. intellectually challenging learners:
inviting students to ask questions, confront limits, recognize complexities,
discriminate values, pursue alternative, see new possibilities and seek
connections.
b. effective communication: express
expectations clearly, listen carefully, remain available to meet with students
individually and act with respect, enthusiasm and empathy toward students.
c. commitment to student learning: create an
interactive, cooperative, mutually respectful environment, consider alternative
methods of teaching and assessment, and demonstrate that course objectives are
met.
d. adequate preparation for each instructional
situation.
e. presentations that correlate with the syllabi and
departmental and college outcomes.
f.
development and use of methods, materials and assessment measures that are
suitable for the diverse needs and learning styles of students.
g. using methods
of evaluation that determine the extent to which the students have made
satisfactory progress toward stated outcomes.
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SERVICE
A
Highline faculty librarian provides evidence of service to their
profession, the college and the community.
Professional Growth and Commitment to Librarianship. A
Highline faculty librarian:
a. maintains professional ethical standards as
established by the American Library Association.
b. maintains a theoretical rationale for library
principles and procedures, knows the research findings of librarianship and
related disciplines, is able to relate and apply this knowledge to library
work.
c. demonstrates an awareness of personal and
professional limitations and has the ability and knowledge to seek assistance
and to make appropriate referrals.
d. maintains currency in library/information science
and in techniques of instruction of information competency.
e. belongs to and participates in appropriate
professional associations.
f. seeks, accepts, and shares professional
improvement experiences to increase the repertoire of library/information and
instruction skills.
g. demonstrates personal and professional integrity:
is truthful and ethical in selecting library materials and course content, in
interacting with students and colleagues, and in assessing self.
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Professional Commitment to the College. A Highline faculty
librarian:
a. demonstrates a realistic understanding of the
community college as an institutional system and is committed to the philosophy,
goals, and responsibilities of the community college.
b. meets individual responsibilities as delineated by
the institution in college policy statements (faculty handbook, catalog, etc.).
c. accepts his/her share of committee assignments,
participating as a member of standing committees and working committees for
particular projects.
d. demonstrates a professional commitment to
colleagues, the affiliated division, and the college as a whole.
e. supports students through activities such as,
individual discussion or counseling, supporting student-centered
extra-curricular activities, speaking to student groups, or recruiting or
recommending students.
f. promotes the programs and services of the
library to the campus community.
Professional Commitment to the Community. A Highline
faculty librarian:
a. knows and utilizes community resources, such as
school, public and college libraries.
b. maintains appropriate professional relationships
with colleagues in the community.
c. promotes the programs and services of Highline in
the community.
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Input to the tenure process. The Working Committee will
seek recommendations and evaluations. These shall include but not be
limited to the following:
· Quarterly reports by each member of the working committee
evaluating the probationer’s performance.
· A written evaluation of the probationer by the library
director which addresses the criteria for tenure, submitted with the first,
fourth and seventh quarter reports.
· A written evaluation by the Chair of the affiliate
division, submitted with the first, fourth and seventh quarter reports.
· Input from campus-wide faculty and students.
· Input from members of the exempt, faculty and classified
library staff.
All reports and recommendations must be submitted according to
the time lines established by the Tenure Review Committee.
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Adopted
1/2/02
Last website update:
January 24, 2008
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