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Criteria for Merit Evaluation and Tenure for Librarians

1. Introduction

Jackson Library is committed to advancing and supporting learning, research and service at the University by

1. Providing an information system, services and facilities that make the Library the preferred resource from which the University community will gather information, support research and navigate successfully among information resource options.


2. Building and preserving physical and electronic collections of information resources that support the University's mission and programs.
3. Developing multifaceted information literacy programs that educate broadly, at the point of use, and in support of the University curriculum.
4. Providing collaborative leadership in the development of informational and instructional technologies that are cornerstones of University activity.
5. Evaluating and improving, on a continual basis, the Library's collections, services and programs.

Library faculty members are an integral part of the University's mission of teaching based on scholarship and advancing knowledge through research. Library faculty members provide exemplary learning environments on campus and through distance education so that students can acquire knowledge, develop intellectual skills, and become more thoughtful and responsible members of a global society. Library faculty members anticipate, develop, maintain, and make available the information and resources capable of supporting the academic programs of the University, both on and off campus, and must possess the specialized skills and knowledge required in a dynamic and complex information environment. Library faculty members are specialists in providing access to all types of information in all formats. They are leaders in the development, organization, and preservation of collections; bibliographic control; instruction; reference and research services; creation and effective use of all relevant information systems; and administration and planning. These functions are crucial to supporting the research, teaching, and service missions of the University. In addition to their various specialized roles, members of the Library faculty must also recognize the connectedness and interrelatedness of all learning and knowledge.

Central to all Library faculty roles is the scholarship required to interpret, integrate and apply knowledge from the following: a broad range of academic disciplines, education and organization theory and practice, scholarly communications, and technical specialties; and to ensure the most effective provision of resources and services. The scholarly inquiries of library faculty members enable them to provide guidance for other scholars both within and outside of the University.

The following criteria for merit evaluation and tenure for librarians are based on the framework provided in the "Regulations on Academic Freedom, Tenure, and Due Process," the "University Promotions and Tenure Guidelines," the "University-Wide Evaluation Guidelines for Promotions and Tenure," and the “Code of the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina, Chapter 6, Academic Freedom and Tenure.” (http://provost.uncg.edu/publications/personnel/pt.html) All candidates for reappointment or tenure should refer to these documents for clarification of the context in which the Library has developed a specific evaluation plan appropriate to its mission.

2. Criteria

Excellence in librarianship is expected of each Library faculty member. The emphasis on evaluating an individual's performance at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro falls into four categories:

• Professional responsibility/teaching effectiveness
• Research and creative activities
• Service activities
• Directed professional activities
1. Librarianship (Professional Responsibility/Teaching Effectiveness)
   Librarianship within the University setting encompasses a broader scope than classroom instruction.
1. Scope of Professional Responsibilities
   A successful librarian advances library service and access to resources. Contributions to consider may include, but are not limited to:
1. Translating knowledge of the University curriculum and programs into library services and resources.
2. Developing the Library's resources and research collections.
3. Developing and utilizing bibliographic and information systems in order to facilitate access to needed information.
4. Promoting library resources and services.
5. Instructing students and faculty in developing the research methodologies necessary for the successful pursuit of life-long learning.
6. Demonstrating excellent written and oral communication skills.
7. Participating in policy formulation at the departmental and library-wide levels.
8. Planning, organizing, and coordinating library services, facilities and resources.
9. Exercising independent judgment and initiative to advance library services.
10. Exhibiting awareness of current trends in academic libraries and areas of specialization.
11. Developing networks to make resources available to the UNCG community and to the general public.
12. Developing instructional materials and manuals.
13. Developing and providing electronic/virtual instruction and information.
14. Planning and/or conducting staff development training for library staff and faculty.
15. Recruiting, selecting, training, and supervising staff.
16. Budgeting, including planning, requesting and allocating funds for library resources and services.
17. Facilitating or participating in outreach efforts.
2. Documentation of Professional Contributions
3. Documentation of professional contributions may include, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Descriptions of Professional Responsibilities
1. Summary of responsibilities and activities
2. Portfolio of materials developed such as policies, procedures, manuals, guidelines, handouts, and bibliographies
3. Examples of electronic materials developed to enhance instruction, including reports, proposals, training materials, etc.
4. Other materials that are appropriate for the specific position.
2. Documented Outcomes
1. User satisfaction surveys
2. User/usage statistics
3. Self-study reports submitted for outside accrediting agencies and academic program reviews
4. Comparisons of library resources to those of peer institutions and collection evaluation measures
5. Evidence of enhanced access to materials and resources
6. Evidence of enhanced organization of materials
7. Grant and contract proposals developed and submitted to funding agencies
3. Judgments about Professional Responsibilities
1. Statements from students
2. Statements from colleagues on observations of professional effectiveness and contributions
3. Statements from administrators
4. Responses to accreditation reviews
5. Supervisor evaluations
4. Eminence Measures
1. Honors or recognition for meritorious professional contributions from campus and professional associations and other outside agencies
2. Invitations to teach, lecture, or present workshops
3. Other relevant awards or commendations
5. Self-reflection and Appraisal
1. Evidence of steps taken to evaluate and improve professional performance
2. Career goals, professional development and achievements
2. Research and Creative Activity
   The evaluation of research and creative activities shall consider contributions to the field or discipline, the quality of the work, and its significance or impact. The evaluation also should include the continuity, range, focus, and aggregation of productive work as appropriate to the field, with particular emphasis on accomplishments since the last appointment. Documentation of the significance and quality of research and creative expression will undergo formal external peer review.
   A successful librarian makes significant scholarly contributions to librarianship through a wide variety of activities and publications. It is important to recognize that different expressions of scholarly contributions may be appropriate for librarians according to their professional specialties, academic backgrounds, and intellectual interests.
1. Scope of Research and Creative Activity
1. Scholarly Writing and Presentations
1. Books, monographs, textbooks, and book chapters
2. Articles or bibliographies relating to librarianship or other academic subject areas for professional journals
3. Papers presented at professional meetings
4. Other papers and reports (trade, in-house publications, and encyclopedias)
5. Translations, abstracts, and reviews
6. Development of information systems, computer programs (computer software or databases), or Internet sites
7. Creation of research aids such as indexes, thesauri, catalogs, union lists, finding lists, and bibliographies
8. Development of Library and/or University publications and reports which improve the use of library resources or services, present new ideas, or incorporate research
2. Editing
1. Books
2. Journals or other learned publications
3. Grants and Contracts
1. Developing and submitting proposals and obtaining funding
2. Managing grants
3. Selecting and supervising staff
4. Directing research teams
5. Preparing reports
2. Documentation of Research and Creative Activity
   Documentation of the effectiveness of research and creative activities may include, but is not limited to the following:
1. Descriptions of Research and Creative Activity
1. Summary of responsibilities and activities
2. Analyses of research and creative problems
2. Documented Outcomes
1. Journal articles, books, book chapters, edited books, monographs, translations, abstracts and reviews
2. Grant proposals and external funding
3. Papers presented at professional meetings
4. Electronic publishing
5. Computer programs
6. Internet sites
7. Indexes, union lists, finding lists, thesauri, catalogs and bibliographies
3. Judgments about Research and Creative Activities
1. Evaluations from faculty colleagues at UNCG and other institutions
2. Evaluations from Department/Division Chairs and other appropriate administrators
3. Evaluations from curators, critics, reviewers, and other independent experts
4. Evaluations from students
4. Eminence Measures
1. Position as editor of journal or member of editorial board
2. Invited chapters in prestigious publications
3. Invited papers, guest lectures, and demonstrations
4. Honors and awards
5. Appointment or election as officer in professional organization
6. Citations of published work
7. Interviews by the media
8. Acknowledgments of professional contributions
5. Self-reflection and Appraisal
1. Career goals, development, and achievements in research and creative activity
3. Service
   A successful librarian demonstrates significant contributions to the University's mission of teaching, research, and service.
1. Scope of Service
   Service is of three types: (a) service to the Library and the University embraces activities which sustain the University and enable it to carry out its academic goals; (b) service to the discipline contributes to the function and effectiveness of the faculty member's profession and discipline; (c) service to external communities reaches out to constituencies such as government agencies, industry, and the arts where academic knowledge intersects with practical affairs and problem solving. Service activities may include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Service to the Library and the University
1. Providing leadership in or making significant contributions to Library or University committees or other appointed, elected or ad-hoc groups
2. Developing and revising major policy documents
3. Participating in campus governance
4. Mentoring other faculty and staff
5. Representing the University for its advancement
6. Assisting in the development of international programs and exchanges
7. Mentoring student groups
8. Collaborating/partnering with University units to develop programs which advance the Library or University mission
2. Service to the Discipline
1. Holding a leadership position in organizations
2. Organizing workshops for professional groups
3. Serving on accreditation bodies
4. Serving on an editorial board of a professional journal
5. Reviewing articles and books for journals and presses
6. Writing external reviews of the work of colleagues for promotions and tenure or other professional awards and acknowledgments
7. Participating on committees of professional organizations
8. Adjudicating for competitions in the arts, sciences, and humanities
3. Service to External Communities
1. Conducting directed or contracted research
2. Conducting program, policy, and personnel evaluation research for other institutions and agencies
3. Consulting and providing technical assistance to public and private organizations
4. Informing general audiences through seminars, conferences, and lectures
5. Interpreting technical information for a variety of audiences
6. Writing summaries of research, policy analyses, and position papers for the general public and targeted audiences
7. Testifying before the legislature and Congressional committees
8. Editing newsletters in one's field or discipline
9. Serving as an expert for the press and other media
10. Developing solutions to problems
11. Collaborating with schools, other libraries, and civic agencies to develop policies or programs which advance the Library or University mission
12. Organizing and managing conferences
2. Documentation of Service Activity
1. Descriptions of Service Activities
1. Summary of responsibilities and activities
2. Analyses of work accomplished
2. Documented Outcomes
1. Number of people served and benefited
2. Official documents and reports resulting from an activity
3. Illustrations of ways in which the activity enhanced the University
4. Published articles, technical reports, or monographs
5. Grant proposals
6. Log of activities e.g., programs presented
7. Visibility of the activity
3. Judgments about Service
1. Evaluations and letters from receivers of service
2. Evaluations from sponsoring organizations
3. Evaluations from faculty colleagues and other peers
4. Eminence Measures
1. Honors or awards recognizing service
2. Election or appointment as officer in professional organization
5. Self-reflection and Appraisal
1. Journals and logs
2. Self-appraisal of one's career goals, development, and achievement in service
4. Directed Professional Activity
   While all faculty members are expected to perform in the categories of teaching, research and creative activity, and service, their responsibilities also may include professional activities that merit separate classification and delineation. In some cases these activities may be a significant part of the faculty member's contributions to the University and other communities. Directed professional activity must be well defined and its purpose and significance clearly stated in the Library's documents. The faculty member, Department/Division chair, and Library Director must discuss and agree upon the faulty member's involvement in directed professional activity.
1. Scope of Directed Professional Activity
   Directed professional activity is defined as a contribution that is sufficiently distinctive that its significance is diminished when embedded in any of the three categories of teaching, research and creative activity, and service. The principal objective in the evaluation of directed professional activity is to assess the nature and quality of the contribution and its significance to, or impact on, the University. Directed professional activity may include, but is not limited to the following:
1. Preparing Significant Library or University Documents/ Resources
1. Developing grant proposals and obtaining extramural funding
2. Writing technical manuals or training manuals
3. Developing library and other learning resources
4. Preparing University accreditation or UNC System reports and documents
2. Directing or Conducting Activities that Enhance the University's Effectiveness
1. Designing and directing faculty development activities
2. Providing specialized research or information services for the University or the community
3. Planning and directing formal Library outreach programs
3. Developing Library Specific Initiatives
1. Adapting existing computer technology for our constituents' needs
2. Representing the Library's needs to library systems and resources vendors
3. Exploring and implementing technological options for new information resources and services
4. Academic Administrative Leadership
1. Chairing a Department or Division within a Unit
2. Directing special projects
3. Participating in special task forces, commissions, and self-studies
2. Documentation of Directed Professional Activity
   Documentation for directed professional activity effectiveness may include, but is not limited to the following:
1. Descriptions of Directed Professional Activity
1. Written description of the scope of the project and participation
2. Analyses of the work accomplished
2. Documented Outcomes
1. Number of people served and/or number who benefited
2. Illustrations of ways in which the activity enhanced the University
3. Official documents and reports resulting from the activity
4. Published articles, technical reports, or monographs
5. Grants applied for and/or obtained
6. Log of activities e.g., programs presented
7. Visibility of the activity
3. Judgments of Directed Professional Activity
1. Evaluations by peers, participants, administrators, and other constituents
2. New programs and initiatives resulting from the activity
4. Eminence Measures
1. Honors and awards
2. Degree to which the activity brings positive visibility to the University
3. Grants received and contracts negotiated
5. Self-reflection and Appraisal
1. Career goals, development, and achievements in directed professional activity

Aprroved by the Library Faculty
August 14th, 2003