P. Appointment, Reappointment, and Promotion of Library Faculty

The following summarize the regulations, guidelines, and procedures for appointment, reappointment, and promotion of library faculty. Details of these guidelines and procedures are contained in the Library Faculty Policies and Procedures, which supercedes Chapter III, Sections C 2-4, F, and G of this Handbook.

The Master of Library Science (MLS), Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS), Master of Information Science (MIS), or an equivalent degree is recognized as the appropriate terminal degree for library faculty at Colgate. Normally, the degree must be from a program accredited by the American Library Association or other appropriate accrediting agency. Library faculty may be hired at one of four ranks: Instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, or professor.

1. Appointments by Rank

Library faculty are appointed at the rank of Instructor only if:

a. they are within one academic term of completing an appropriate terminal degree; ad

b. they have demonstrated academic achievement and other characteristics that evidence potential for successful overall performance as a library faculty member at Colgate.

Instructors who perform satisfactorily, and who complete the requirements for their terminal degree by the end of their one-year appointment, receive an appointment at the rank of assistant professor. Instructors who have not completed the requirements of their terminal degree by the end of their one-year appointment will not have their contracts renewed.

The customary appointment for entry-level library faculty is assistant professor. Library faculty appointed at the rank of assistant professor must:

a. hold an appropriate terminal degree; amd

b. demonstrate academic characteristics that evidence potential for successful overall performance as a library faculty member at Colgate.

Library faculty appointed at or promoted to the rank of associate professor must:

a. satisfy all requirements for appointments at the lower rank

b. demonstrate, through documented past performance, success in and promise for the independent performance of library responsibilities; commitment to the library profession; and

c. in the case of annual consultation and/or promotion review, show evidence of service to the University.

Library faculty appointed at or promoted to the rank of professor must:

a. satisfy all requirements for appointment at the lower ranks;

b. demonstrate, through documented past performance, expertise and accomplishment in independent performance of position responsibilities. Individuals must exhibit superior judgment and mastery of work performance with recognition of expert status in at least one area of position responsibility.;

c. demonstrate outstanding professional commitment as evidenced by active participation and recognized accomplishment in one's professional communities. Individuals must show extensive and sustained professional contributions that demonstrate maturity and depth of thought and leadership; and

d. in the case of annual consultation and/or promotion review, show evidence of significant and sustained service contributions to the university.

Library faculty are encouraged to undergo a promotion review in their sixth year of service, but no later than their tenth year of service. 

2. Appointment Terms All library faculty, regardless of rank, initially receive one year probationary appointments. With the exception of library faculty hired at the rank of full professor, library faculty on probationary appointments must undergo a promotion review in accordance with the schedule in the Library Faculty Policies and Procedures. Upon successful completion of the promotion review to associate professor, library faculty will receive continuing appointment. Additionally, faculty who are initialy hired at the rank of associate professor or professor are eligible for continuing appointment after their first year. Continuing appointment means that there is an expectation of continued employment, and any nonrenewal is considered to be a termination or dismissal, with the same rights as in Sections III.C.7-9.

3. Guidelines for Reappointment and Promotion Annual reappointments and contract renewals are based on quality of performance in three areas: university library responsibilities, commitment to the profession, and service to the university community, and are assessed by an individual’s supervisor and the University Librarian during the annual consultation. Annual progress towards advancing in rank will also be discussed with the individual’s supervisor and University Librarian during the annual consultation. Decisions about promotion to a higher rank of Library Faculty at Colgate University are based upon the quality of performance in the same three areas under consideration for contract renewal: university library responsibilities, commitment to the profession, and service to the university community. 

Promotion reviews are conducted by a promotion review committee of library faculty in accordance with policies and procedures defined by the Library Faculty Policies and Procedures. For each Promotion Review Committee, the Provost/Dean of the Faculty in consultation with the University Librarian appoints a tenured member of the instructional faculty to serve as an observer in an oversight capacity and a non-voting external evaluator who is qualified to assess the candidate’s work.

4. Professional Leaves In recognition of the importance of the Library Faculty as partners in the University’s educational mission, after each Library Faculty member has attained the rank of Associate Professor and again at Full Professor, they may apply for a Professional Leave to undertake an approved project related to their professional duties and interests that will be of significance to personal growth, to the profession, and/or to Colgate.

Additionally, library faculty benefit from protections accorded to instructional faculty in the areas of academic freedom [III.C.3.g], appeals related to non-promotion due to procedural error [III.C.3.f] and dismissal proceedings [III.C.9.b].