Librarians at SMU Libraries may hold any of the following ranks: Librarian I, Librarian II, Librarian III, and Librarian IV.
Initial appointments of librarians are made by the Dean of SMU Libraries in consultation with the supervising librarian. Librarians are appointed to the rank appropriate to their qualifications. Relevant education and experience are taken into consideration.
This rank is assigned to entry-level librarians who have the required educational background but little or no pertinent experience in a comparable position elsewhere.
Appointment at this rank is granted to librarians with the required educational background who have demonstrated significant professional contributions as a Librarian I or equivalent at SMU or in a comparable position elsewhere.
Appointment at this rank is granted to librarians with the required educational background and a substantial and successful record of experience as a Librarian II or equivalent at SMU or in a comparable position elsewhere.
Appointment at this rank is reserved for those librarians who have integrated superior job performance at SMU or in a comparable position elsewhere with a significant record of contributions to library/information science or academia.
In addition to competent performance of job duties, librarians will be evaluated for promotion based on their professional activities and job- or university-related service. Evidence of quality performance of assigned responsibilities must be central in all considerations of promotion. No amount of participation in professional activities, academic attainment, scholarly activities, or service can compensate for less than high quality job performance.
Promotion to a higher rank requires a record of successful fulfillment of criteria at the lower level, whether that experience occurs at SMU or at previous positions held by the candidate. The criteria below indicate what librarians are expected to have achieved in order to attain the described rank. The underlying criteria for promotion are sound performance in the assigned job, evidence of significant development or potential for development, and flexibility in the context of a changing work environment.
To qualify for promotion to Librarian II, the candidate should:
To qualify for promotion to Librarian III, the candidate should:
A Librarian IV furthers the image and mission of SMU's libraries while setting standards of performance and scholarship which other librarians and staff should emulate. Promotion to this rank reflects exceptional merit and an overall evaluation of excellence. A continued record of professional service outside the libraries must be maintained.
Compensation for promotions is added to the base salary:
Individuals who are considering applying for promotion must confer with their supervisor.
The following components are to be included in the promotion packet:
The complete packet should be submitted as a PDF to Box. Please use the following file naming convention: LastName_FirstName_DocumentType. All letters of support will be added to the packet by the Assistant Director of Administrative Services.
| August 31 |
Candidates send intention to apply for promotion via email to Assistant Director of Administrative Services by this date. Applicants should copy their supervisor and the Dean of SMU Libraries. Candidates begin compiling required documentation identified above. |
| October 21 | Documentation packet submitted |
|
October 24-November 1 |
Dean's Cabinet reviews promotion applications |
| November 4 | Recommendation(s) of promotion sent to Dean of SMU Libraries by this date |
| November 18 |
Final decision is made by this date. Recommendations are submitted to the Provost by the budget deadline as set by the University. If promotion is denied, the supervisor and the Dean will write a report summarizing the reasons for denial.* Once the Provost confirms the promotion(s) (generally in early spring), the Dean will notify the candidates of the decision. All candidates, whether they are granted or denied promotion, should be notified at the same time. |
| June 1 | New salary and rank go into effect |
* Candidates denied promotion are welcome to re-apply annually.
The following definitions are from ACRL for Librarian I-IV:
Promotion to the ranks requires a record of successful fulfillment of criteria at the lower level.
Librarian I:
Appointments at this entry level rank shall require expectation of successful overall performance and the potential for a promising career in librarianship.
Librarian II:
Promotion to this rank shall require evidence of significant professional contributions to the library and/or to the institution.
Librarian III:
Promotion to this rank shall require evidence of substantial professional contributions to the library and to the institution as well as attainment of a high level in bibliographical activities, in research, or in other professional endeavors.
Librarian IV:
Promotion to this rank shall require outstanding achievements in bibliographical activities, in research, or in other professional endeavors.
To further clarify the above ACRL definitions, the following statements and expanded definitions are included.
Where SMU Libraries requires or prefers a second or other additional degree beyond the MLS, the librarian hired should receive a salary commensurate with professional education attained. For example, this would include a law librarian for which a JD is also required; a reference librarian where a subject degree is required or preferred; etc.
Criteria for evaluation will determine at what level a librarian is appointed and promoted, except in the case of department heads, assistant and associate directors where appointments will be made at the Librarian II level or higher, depending upon years of progressively more responsible administrative and/or managerial experience, education, and demonstrated abilities for such positions, and salaries will begin at a competitive market level for these types of positions. Promotions and salary increases will, however, be based on evaluative criteria listed below, with emphasis on administrative and/or managerial responsibilities. If department heads, assistant, and associate directors resign from an administrative or managerial position, or are removed from their administrative or managerial positions, salaries will revert to the appropriate scale for those in Librarian ranks I through IV without such assigned duties. Associate Director and Director position salaries are negotiable and may include salaries beyond the salary range for Librarian I through IV. Normally incumbents in the director positions for Fondren Library, Hamon Arts Library, DeGolyer Library, Bridwell Library, and the Underwood Law Library will be appointed at a rank of Librarian IV; incumbents in other director, associate director, and head of library positions will be appointed at a Librarian III rank or above. Department heads will be appointed at a Librarian II rank or above. Such incumbents will be expected to have met the evaluative criteria for the appropriate rank prior to appointment to administrative and/or managerial positions.
Librarian I:
This rank is assigned to entry-level librarians with the required educational background but who have little or no pertinent experience in a comparable position elsewhere. Librarian I is considered the initial growth rank in the librarian's profession, during which both the individual and organization seek to identify the new librarian's strengths and weaknesses and develop his or her basic skills, expertise, and abilities. Librarian Is may be expected to assume responsibility for supervision of Library Specialists and student assistants, but will probably not be assigned managerial responsibility for a major function or department.
Librarian II:
The initial professional rank is granted to librarians with the required educational background who have demonstrated professional competence as a Librarian I at SMU or in a comparable position elsewhere. At this rank librarians are expected to enhance the basic skills, build upon their expertise and abilities developed as Librarian I, add new areas of position-related expertise and exhibit an overall understanding of the libraries' operations and how they interrelate. In addition, librarians should continue academic activities and pursuits and begin to contribute to the profession in areas such as service on library or university committees, professional activities, or research.
Librarian IIs may be expected to assume responsibility for supervision of Library Specialists and student assistants and may be assigned managerial responsibility for major functions or small departments.
Librarian III:
This rank is granted to librarians with substantial and successful experience as a Librarian II at SMU or in a comparable position elsewhere. This level is the one which the majority of librarians should strive to attain. Librarians in this rank are expected to have mastered their particular areas of responsibility and must continue to increase their job-related expertise. Additional factors required of this rank may include: adhering to high standards of service; demonstrating leadership abilities in library or university committees; assuming leadership roles with library staff; engaging in outside professional activities, and/or furthering research and academic achievements. Librarian IIIs may be expected to assume responsibility for supervision of other Librarians, Library Specialists and student assistants and may be assigned managerial responsibility for major departments. Librarians at this rank will attain recognition for their abilities in the local/regional arena.
Librarian IV:
This rank is reserved for those librarians who have integrated superior job performance at SMU with a significant record of contributions to library/information science or academia. A Librarian IV furthers the image and mission of SMU's libraries while setting standards of performance and scholarship which other librarians and staff should emulate. Promotion to this rank is exceptional, and an overall evaluation of excellence with a continued record of professional service outside the libraries must be maintained. Librarian IVs may be expected to assume responsibility for supervision of other librarians and support staff. Directors and Associate Directors will probably be at this rank. Librarians at this rank will attain recognition for their abilities in the national/regional arena.