ACADEMIC STATUS
- Librarians are academic appointees at the University of California.
Academic status is the sum of the privileges, rights and responsibility
according to librarians as professional employees whose work is
closely related to the teaching and research functions of the
University. Self-governance, University support of professional
development and discretionary use of time in the fulfillment of
responsibilities are hallmarks of this status, based on academic
traditions of autonomy and sustained professional growth. Academic
status therefore includes but is not limited to: the freedom to
perform a range of functions within the profession, a choice of
avenues for professional development, performance evaluation based
on activities relevant to the profession, reviewed by one's peers
and job security as stated in University policies and contracts.
LIBRARIANS: A PART OF AFT
- Some librarians at the University of California are represented
by the bargaining unit, American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
The Union was voted in by the membership in 1984. Members of
the Unit include all librarians who do not have professional supervisory
responsibilities. Librarians contribute to the negotiation of
the contract and a representative to the Union is available on
every campus.
ACADEMIC REVIEW
- All librarians must undergo academic review. The Assistant
University Librarian for Personnel initiates the Call for librarians'
reviews and indicates the time period under review and possible
action. The frequency of the reviews and the length of time reviewed
varies with the individual's rank and status. Materials are submitted
to the review initiator who evaluates the job performance of each
librarian. It is the responsibility of each librarian to keep
a record of all activities to be included in the academic review
record of dossier. Librarians are judged on the basis of professional
competence and quality of service within the library, and, as
appropriate to their rank, on one or more of the following criteria:
1) professional activity outside the library; 2) University and
public service; and 3) research and creative activity.
- A Library Review Committee composed of four elected librarians,
each serving three year terms, reviews personnel action recommendations
and forwards its recommendation to UCI's Office of Academic Affairs
where the decision regarding the action is made and from where
the librarian is informed of the action.
WHY SHOULD I BECOME INVOLVED IN LAUC?
- LAUC offers librarians a forum to discuss and debate professional
interests and issues as they relate to working at the University
of California. Besides contributing to a healthy professional
and work environment, librarians have the opportunity to work
with other academic and faculty colleagues on campus, as well
as fostering common support, friendships and ties with librarians
at the other UC campuses.
- A directory of LAUC information is available on the "Help
LAUC" screen on MELVYL, the UC online catalog. Statewide
assemblies held twice each year allows many librarians the chance
to become involved and meet librarians from other campuses. Participation
in LAUC either at the local or statewide level can influence local
and statewide issues and is an important part of being a librarian
in the University of California.
LAUC-I HANDBOOK
- Each librarian is given a copy of the LAUC-I handbook.
The Handbook is intended as a vehicle for readily storing and
retrieving important LAUC and LAUC-I documents and information.
It is hoped that ready availability of such information will
foster a shared sense of purpose and will encourage members to
participate in LAUC activities, locally and at the statewide level.
Among the key documents included in the Handbook are:
- Academic Personnel Manual (APM). Sec 210-4 and 360.
- LAUC Bylaws and LAUC-I Bylaws.
- The University of California and University Federation
of Librarians, University Council-American Federation of
Teachers (UFL) Agreement, the contract for the
bargaining unit.
- Criteria for Librarian Personnel Action.
- LAUC-I Consumer's Guide to Peer Review. (forthcoming)