Associate Librarian

Prior to consideration, the candidate must have demonstrated consistently effective ability to enhance learning, must have done meritorious work as a professional librarian, must have demonstrated meritorious work in service to the college and community, must hold the master’s degree in library science, and must have completed five years of collegiate academic librarian (or equivalent) experience. The collegiate academic librarian experience need not have been at Mount Saint Mary College.

The candidate for promotion to Associate Librarian is expected to have met or exceeded the following standards:

a. Teaching

Candidate will demonstrate “consistently effective ability” to enhance learning within the library’s instructional settings: in the classroom or other group settings, at the reference desk (in-person or online), in individual research consultations, through the creation of online tutorials, or through contributions to distance learning.

Examples of contributions and evidence that reflect “consistently effective ability” and incremental growth as a librarian may include but are not limited to:

Receives above average teaching effectiveness evaluations from the library director, from classroom faculty for whose classes’ instruction sessions are conducted, and from students when possible. Demonstrates an understanding of and ability to meet the challenge of engaging students in librarians’ typical single-session teaching context.
Provides evidence of use of formative assessments to improve instruction.
Contributes to substantial growth in the accessibility, intelligibility, searchability, reliability, and usability of library resources for its patrons.
Applies new learning to innovations in the provision of library service.

Examples of innovations which enhance learning by library patrons may include but are not limited to:

Application of technology to traditional library services (e.g., electronic reserves, online book renewal, e-mail reference service, adopting new cataloging practices, etc.).
Development of web pages or web-based services.
Assessing the information needs of students and making appropriate changes to meet those needs.
Maximizing use of the integrated library system.
Planning and implementing programs and events which foster the library’s role as a center for culture, learning, and exploration.
Marketing and promoting the benefits of library use.
Enhancing “library as place,” creating a welcoming physical environment for study and scholarship.
Develops the content of classroom sessions, workshops, tutorials, and other instruction in collaboration with classroom faculty to address the specific research needs of students. Instructional materials, including handouts, exercises, web pages, etc., are used appropriately and are continually updated to reflect changes in library resources and innovations in teaching techniques.
Demonstrates proactive contributions to the library’s information literacy program, both in the general education program and within discipline-specific courses, with an emphasis on identifying and achieving educational outcomes.
Collaborates with colleagues in the classroom and in the library to reflect upon and improve student learning.

b. Scholarship

To demonstrate “meritorious work” as a professional librarian, a portfolio for promotion to Associate Librarian should contain evidence of continuous growth within the field, developing knowledge and expertise that are applied to the creation of new or improved library services and resources. The portfolio should also reflect a deepening and widening spectrum of scholarly activities.

Scholarship of teaching. The “deepening” of the scholarship of teaching may include but is not limited to the following contributions and evidence:

Develops innovative teaching and evaluation methods.
Develops learning outcomes for information literacy, administers assessments of instruction activities, collects assessment data, and utilizes data to make improvements in the library’s instruction program.
Mentors new librarians in developing teaching skills.

Scholarship of discovery, application and/or integration. The “widening” of scholarship into these areas may include but is not limited to the following contributions and evidence:

Continues one’s professional development through attendance in workshops, conferences, coursework, etc. This is crucial in the rapidly changing field of librarianship.
Continue one’s professional development by engaging in scholarship and publishing and presenting one’s work.

c. Service

To demonstrate “meritorious work” in service as a professional librarian, a portfolio for promotion to Associate Librarian should reflect a widening spectrum of professional activities.

Examples of contributions and evidence that reflect a widening of professional activities may include but are not limited to:

Is recognized by peers such that the library faculty member’s expertise is solicited for special service at the College, e.g., service on search committees, task forces or other and ad hoc committees, service as Chair of a committee or special projects, invitations to guest lecture in classes or to student groups, etc.
Maintains a positive working relationship with other Library faculty, students, and college-wide faculty and staff as evidenced by self-assessment and letters of support.
Makes proactive contributions to the work of a professional organization such as being a participant on a committee or in a project of the organization.
Provides service to a community group.