Librarian System
04-17-02
The Provost of Michigan State University, in recognition of the essential contributions of librarians to academic programs, appoints, upon recommendation of the Director of Libraries, librarians at those professional levels (Librarian I-IV) which do not involve an immediate award of continuous appointment status. The President approves, upon recommendation of the Director of Libraries and the Provost, appointments of librarians at the professional level (Librarian IV) which confers immediate continuous appointment status to those librarians who exhibit strong evidence of the capacity for sustained professional growth.
Continuous appointment, as used in this statement, assures a librarian that she/he will not be dismissed due to capricious action by the Library administration nor will dismissal be used as a restraint on a librarian's exercise of academic freedom. Continuous appointment does not guarantee employment if positions are not funded, if there are gross violations of University or Library policies, if the librarian refuses to perform reasonable assigned duties or fails to fulfill contractual obligations, or if the librarian no longer renders satisfactory performance in his or her professional capacity at the University.
Dismissal of librarians on continuous appointment will use procedures consistent with the principles for dismissal of tenured faculty, which assure due process, as approved by the Board of Trustees. Dismissal of librarians not on continuous appointment, but prior to the expiration of the current term of appointment, shall use those procedures established for dismissal of librarians on continuous appointment.
An individual appointed as Librarian I or Librarian II is appointed for a probationary period of three to four years that expires on the fourth June 30 following the date of the appointment. This appointment may be followed by an additional three-year period. After this six- to seven-year period, if the librarian is reappointed, continuous appointment will be granted.
If at any time during the initial probationary period the individual is approved for promotion, the changed appointment will be for a three- to four-year period that expires on the fourth June 30 following the date of the change. If reappointed upon the conclusion of this period, continuous appointment will be awarded. If promoted during the second probationary period, continuous appointment will be awarded.
A Librarian III who has not served previously at Michigan State University is appointed to a probationary period that expires on the fourth June 30 following the date of the appointment. If the librarian is reappointed or approved for a change of position to the rank of Librarian IV, continuous appointment will be granted.
A Librarian IV may, on recommendation of the Director of Libraries, be granted continuous appointment from the date of the original appointment at that rank. If a probationary appointment is made it shall be for a period of three to four years that expires on the fourth June 30 following the date of appointment. If reappointed upon conclusion of this period, continuous appointment will be awarded.
Procedures for the implementation of this policy are available in the Office of the Library.
Evaluation
All librarians are evaluated annually for the purposes of improving performance and service to the Library and the University, for continuing appointment status, and for compensation. The evaluation is made by the immediate supervisor, including consultation with the evaluated librarian.
The Library department administrators, in consultation with the supervisors and peer review committees, make personnel recommendations to the Director on such matters as salaries, hiring procedures, and continuous appointment.
The Director, based upon advice received and considering the total personnel needs of the Library, will make a final recommendation to the Provost on personnel matters.
The evaluative and consultative processes are detailed in the Librarian Personnel Handbook.
Operating Principles
The operating principles for continuous appointment of librarians parallel those of the tenure system and will be included in the Library Bylaws.
Enacted: 6/23/77
Amended: 6/12/87