Librarian

Prior to consideration, the candidate will continue to demonstrate consistently effective ability to enhance learning, must be recognized in the scholarship of librarianship, must demonstrate leadership in service to the college and community, must hold the master’s degree in library science, and must have completed ten 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 Librarian is expected to have met or exceeded the following standards:

a. Teaching

Candidate will continue to demonstrate “consistently effective ability” to enhance learning within the library’s instructional settings. The candidate’s portfolio should contain documentation similar to that indicated for Associate Librarian with emphasis on one’s growth as a librarian and changes made in learning enhancement since the last promotion.

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

  • Continues to receive above average teaching effectiveness evaluations from the library director, from classroom faculty for whose classes’ instruction sessions are conducted, and from students when possible. Is recognized as an expert teacher by peers.
  • Demonstrates leadership in developing the library’s information literacy instruction program and in assessing learning outcomes.
  • Instruction session content shows evidence of one’s continued growth in expertise and scholarship.
  • Collaborates with classroom faculty to implement innovative approaches to teaching information literacy skills within the general education program and in specific disciplines.
  • Provides leadership in contributing to substantial growth in the accessibility, intelligibility, searchability, reliability, and usability of library resources for its patrons.
  • Demonstrates leadership in enhancing the learning of library patrons by implementing new and/or improved library services and resources.
  • Demonstrates leadership in assessing the effectiveness of library services, gauging the satisfaction of library users, and making improvements to the library based on assessment data.

b. Scholarship

To demonstrate “recognition” in the scholarship of librarianship, a portfolio for promotion to Librarian should contain positive evaluations of one’s superior work as a professional librarian, of one’s continued growth in and mastery of the field, and of one’s scholarship from colleagues at Mount Saint Mary College and colleagues who are affiliated with outside institutions.

Examples of contributions and evidence that reflect “recognition” of superior work, growth, mastery, and scholarship in the field of librarianship may include but are not limited to the following:

  • Continues to pursue professional development through conferences, workshops, and coursework.
  • Conducts workshops on topics relevant to contemporary academic libraries to regional, state, or national audiences.
  • Presents papers, participates in panel presentations, or gives poster presentations at professional meetings.
  • Serves as manuscript reviewer for scholarly journals.
  • Writes book reviews.
  • Receives grant awards for library projects, educational projects, or scholarship.
  • Publishes articles in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Writes or edits books or writes book chapters in librarianship.

c. Service

To demonstrate “leadership in service” in the field of librarianship, a portfolio for promotion to Librarian should contain positive evaluations of one’s leadership in professional activities from colleagues at Mount Saint Mary College and colleagues who are affiliated with outside institutions.

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

  • Is recognized by colleagues at other college and university libraries and in professional library organizations such that the library faculty member’s expertise is solicited to provide mentoring, advice about professional development, or help with the implementation or assessment of library programs, services, or resources.
  • Is invited to serve on committees, task forces, etc., of professional library organizations.
  • Demonstrates leadership on college committees as evidenced by initiative and taking proactive stances on needed changes in policy, curriculum, and instruction.
  • Advances the achievement of goals of a professional organization by effective leadership as an officer, committee chair, board member, and the like.
  • Demonstrates skills in mentoring new librarians in teaching effectiveness, implementation of new/improved library services, professional development, and service to the college.