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VII-2.15(A) UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND POLICY ON LIBRARIANS
APPROVED BY PRESIDENT JUNE 1, 1998
A. General
This Policy implements the Board of Regents Policy on
Librarians (October 6, 1995). It defines the employment
category for Librarians at the University of Maryland,
establishes the structure and principles for appointment and
promotion to the Librarian ranks, and delegates
responsibility for the preparation of operating procedures
consistent with this Policy.
B. Employment Category
1. Persons holding the rank of Librarian I, II, III, and
IV shall serve as Associate Staff employees of the
University. These ranks and the potential they afford
for "promotion-in-place" are unique within the
Associate Staff service; nevertheless, except as may be
otherwise specifically and affirmatively provided in
this Policy, the rights, incidents, prerogatives,
responsibilities, limitations, benefits, and procedures
controlling employment as a Librarian shall be the same
as those governing the Associate Staff employees
generally.
2. No person serving as an Associate Staff employee before
the implementation of this Policy shall lose any
existing employment right or benefit by virtue of being
assigned a Librarian rank.
C. Librarian Positions Within the University Library System
1. A Plan of Organization of the University of Maryland
Library System shall be prepared. The plan shall:
(a) Identify all existing full-time and part-time
Regular and Non-Regular positions, whether
occupied or vacant, regardless of the Employment
Category (Faculty, Associate Staff, Classified
Staff, Academic Administrator, Contingent
Employee, etc.) potentially effected by the
Regents' Policy on Librarians.
(b) Indicate all lines of authority; and,
(c) Identify all positions which by their
character, function and presently established
minimum qualifications are those to which an
individual holding the rank of Librarian I,
II, III or IV may be appointed, and designate
for each such position the minimum Librarian
rank which shall be associated with it. The
minimum rank assigned shall reflect the level
of education, experience, specialization,
skills and abilities reasonably necessary for
an individual to perform the responsibilities
of the position with the degree of
proficiency expected by the Dean of
Libraries.
(d) The Plan shall be prepared by the Dean of
Libraries and approved by the Provost
following review and comment by the Director
of Personnel Services. At such time as
positions are created or reconfigured in the
Library System, the Dean shall inform the
Director of the minimum Librarian rank to be
assigned the new position.
2. Consistent with this Policy and the Personnel Policies
and Rules for Associate Staff, the Dean of Libraries
shall develop and institute a set of procedures whereby
persons holding Librarian ranks shall be considered for
promotion in rank and/or permanent status (See,
Paragraph G.3. below). The procedures shall include
participation by a Promotion & Permanent Status Review
Committee of library professionals within the Library
System. Following review for form and legal
sufficiency, the procedures shall have the status of
College regulations.
D. Titles and Ranks
1. All employees at the University have a Payroll Title,
selected from among those approved for their category
of employment. Associate Staff employees may also be
assigned a Functional Title (sometimes called a
"Working Title" or "Descriptive Title") which describes
the responsibilities they are performing. Functional
Titles in the Library System are assigned by and may be
changed in the discretion of the Dean of Libraries.
2. In addition to being assigned a Payroll Title and a
Functional Title, qualified employees in the Library
System will also be assigned one of four ranks:
Librarian I, II, III, or IV. Present and future
employees will be assigned an initial Librarian rank
and may be promoted to a higher rank in accordance with
Paragraph F., below.
3. The term "Director" shall be used in the Library System
only as a Functional Title. It shall not designate a
Rank.
E. Librarian Ranks
1. There are four librarian ranks: Librarian I, Librarian
II, Librarian III, and Librarian IV. All full-time and
part-time Associate Staff employees occupying positions
identified under Paragraph C.(c), above, shall hold a
librarian rank.
2. The minimum qualifications for the librarian ranks are:
(a) Librarian I: This rank requires an individual
hold a Master's Degree (or equivalent) from a
program accredited by the American Library
Association. The rank is normally assigned to
persons just entering librarianship. Little or no
professional library experience is required other
than the individual has demonstrated an
understanding of the basic tenets of librarianship
and a potential for professional growth. The
emphasis at this rank is on the continuing
acquisition of knowledge and skills, demonstration
of increased competence, and professional
development. An individual holding the rank of
Librarian I shall not be eligible for
consideration for permanent status.
(b) Librarian II: Persons holding this rank
shall have demonstrated effective
professional knowledge and skills
significantly above those expected of a
Librarian I. Normally, a minimum of three
years of prior full-time professional
experience is required before being eligible
for appointment or promotion to this rank.
(c) Librarian III: Persons holding this rank
shall have demonstrated mastery of the
skills, knowledge, and techniques of
librarianship, and have made meaningful
contributions to the Library System, the
University, the library profession, and/or an
academic profession. Normally, a minimum of
six years of prior full-time professional
experience is required (including three years
at a level comparable to Librarian II at the
University of Maryland) before being eligible
for appointment or promotion to this rank.
(d) Librarian IV: Persons holding this rank
shall have made distinctive contributions to
the Library System, the University, the
library profession, and/or an academic
discipline. Normally, a minimum of nine
years of prior full-time professional
experience is required (including three years
at a level comparable to Librarian III at the
University of Maryland) before being eligible
for appointment or promotion to this rank.
Appointment or promotion to this rank
reflects exceptional accomplishment.
3. The President may establish additional qualifications
for each rank as may be recommended by the Dean of
Libraries and Provost.
F. Appointments and Promotions
1. Individuals will be assigned a Librarian rank at the
time of appointment to a Librarian position in the
Library System and thereafter are eligible for
consideration for promotion to higher Librarian ranks.
2. Promotion to a higher Librarian rank may occur "in-place";
it may occur without a change in position,
payroll title or functional title. Promotion shall be
based on the quality of a librarian's achievements, and
in no case shall be automatic or a consequence of
length of service alone.
3. The criteria and procedures for evaluating an
individual's accomplishments for the purpose of
assigning a Librarian rank at the time of initial
appointment or for promotion to a higher Librarian rank
shall be established by the President upon the
recommendation of the Dean of Libraries and Provost.
The criteria shall include:
(a) Outstanding accomplishment in the performance of
the requirements of the individual's current
position;
(b) Expertise and superior knowledge of librarianship
or other valuable relevant field;
(c) Professional development and demonstrated
potential for enhanced responsibilities;
(d) Service to the Library System, University and
professional organizations.
The relative importance of these criteria may vary
among the Librarian ranks and among the different units
within University of Maryland Library System, but each
shall be considered in every decision.
G. Permanent Status
1. Persons holding Librarian ranks are Associate Staff
employees and are eligible to attain permanent status
in accordance with the Board of Regents Personnel
Policies and Rules for Associate Staff, Section II
"Employment Standards," Paragraph G. (1989)
(incorporated herein by reference) in the same manner
and subject to the same conditions as other University
Associate Staff employees.
2. Permanent status within the Associate Staff is that
form of continuing employment attained after seven
years of consecutive full-time service at the
University and whereafter termination must be justified
by cause. Cause, as defined in the Personnel Policies
and Rules for Associate Staff, includes, but is not
limited to, immorality, misconduct in office,
incompetency, failure to perform assigned duties,
willful neglect of duty, or permanent or chronic
disability that seriously jeopardizes or prevents
performance of the employee's assigned duties.
Permanent status does not nullify the right of the
University to lay off an Associate Staff employee for
lack of supporting funds, program change, change in
departmental organization or stoppage or lack of work.
3. The Dean of Libraries will undertake a performance
review and take appropriate personnel actions prior to
the completion of a librarian's seventh year of full-time
continuous service to ensure permanent status is
attained only in those instances where an individual
has offered outstanding service and evidences a
potential for continued professional development. The
Dean of the Libraries in consultation with the Director
of Personnel will establish criteria and procedures for
this review.
4. Permanent status is not a factor of Librarian rank and
is not attained except in conformity with the Personnel
Policies and Rules for Associate Staff. Assignment or
promotion to the rank of Librarian II, III, or IV does
not confer "permanent status."
H. Professional Leave
1. Librarians may be granted professional leave for the
purposes of conducting scholarly work or doing applied
research which will increase the librarian's
contribution to the University or enhance the
reputation of the University. Professional leave is
granted subject to the needs of the University,
including consideration of the availability of funds
and the efficient delivery of library services.
2. To be eligible for professional leave the Librarian
must:
(a) Have attained permanent Associate Staff
status; and,
(b) Have served a minimum of six years of full-time
service as a librarian in the University
Library System at the time of an initial
professional leave or since any previously
granted professional leave. Leave of absence
without pay shall not be counted as service
for the purpose of professional leave; and,
(c) Except in extraordinary circumstances, agree
as a condition of receiving professional
leave to return promptly to the University at
the termination of the leave and serve in his
or her previous position for at least one
year.
3. Professional leave may be granted for either:
(a) Six calendar months at full compensation; or,
(b) One calendar year at one-half normal
compensation.
4. All benefits and privileges of a librarian on
professional leave shall continue in the same manner as
if the librarian were not on such leave, including the
accrual of annual leave, sick leave, opportunity for
promotion in rank, and eligibility for merit raises.
5. During the period of professional leave, the librarian
will be permitted, with the prior approval of the
President or designee, to accept, in addition to the
compensation received from the University, such grants,
awards, contracts, fellowships, or other compensation
or stipends as may be given to support the approved
professional leave project. A librarian who receives
compensation without the approval of the President will
be required to return all compensation from the
University for support of the project.
6. Application for professional leave shall be made at
least six months prior to the proposed commencement.
Applications shall be addressed to the Dean of the
Libraries and contain a description of:
(a) The project; and,
(b) The expected results of the project; and,
(c) The value of the project to the mission of
the Library System;
(d) The effect on the Library and a plan to
minimize disruption.
The Dean shall review the application for professional
leave and make a recommendation. Applications are
routed through the Provost to the President. The
President, or designee, may approve, postpone or reject
the leave. The Provost in consultation with the Dean
may establish such additional procedures and criteria
relating to the approval and funding of professional
leave as they deem appropriate to implement this
Policy.
7. Within three months of returning from professional
leave, a librarian shall file a report describing the
results of the project, and a detailed accounting of
the activities undertaken during the leave. The report
is to be addressed to the Dean of Libraries, with a
copy to the Provost.
ENDNOTES
1. The terms "University of Maryland," "University," and "UM"
denote the institution formerly styled as the University of
Maryland, College Park.
2. The Associate Staff Payroll Titles currently in use in the
Library System are Associate Librarian I, Associate
Librarian II, Librarian I, Librarian II, and Manager. It is
anticipated that with respect to positions in the University
library system this nomenclature and structure will be
revised to accommodate the Librarian ranks established in
Paragraph E.
3. As soon as practicable, existing Payroll Titles will be
reconfigured to correspond to Librarian Ranks. Thereafter,
this Policy will be edited to remove reference to the
distinction except where confusion may arise.
4. Associate Staff occupying these positions at the time of the
approval of the Plan of Organization will be assigned the
rank of Librarian II by the Dean of the Libraries, and may
thereafter be considered for promotion.
5. Some librarians may attain permanent Associate Staff status
by serving part or all of the requisite seven years in
non-librarian positions or at other institutions within the
University of Maryland System. Eligibility for professional
leave is deemed an incident of continuous long-term service
as a librarian to the University. Accordingly, the
University has established a six-year institution service
and a six-year librarian service as components of
eligibility.
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