May 25, 2000
MEMORANDUM
TO: Willa Tanabe, Chair, Search Committee for University Librarian
FROM: Ross Christensen, Vice Chair, Library Senate Executive Board
RE: Library Staff Comments On The Qualifications For The Position of University Librarian
As requested the library staff has been surveyed for comments on the position description and qualification for the University Librarian. Those comments are included below. Thank you for the opportunity to provide input for this critical process.
Minimum qualifications
1. MQ [10 or more years of experience at several universities] Of course, "several" people will have trouble with this MQ. First of all, Let's say you had eight outstanding years at one university library, followed by six outstanding years at another university. You are not qualified. "Several" is vague, but it means more than two, and I don't know that more than two is necessarily more qualified than just two.
2. The MQ should say experience in university libraries, not just the university.
3. MQ [5 years minimum experience in senior management at an ARL, Carnegie I University]
If "Carnegie I" means "Carnegie, Research I," then we have eliminated Research II and Doctoral I & II. I don't believe that we can drop those institutions, which includes, for example, Auburn, BYU, Clemson, Kansas St., Syracuse, U of Louisville, Notre Dame, U of Oklahoma, and that's just the Research II. Even Doctoral II includes universities like Dartmouth, Baylor, Seton Hall, and Wake Forest Wright State. Also, the Carnegie requirement eliminates the Library of Congress, National Library of Medicine, and others. They are ARLs, but not Carnegies.
The Chronicle of Higher Education provides a description of the Carnegie 2000 classifications on their web page at http://chronicle.com/stats/institutions.htm
4. The intent for the MQs is good, but we need to be careful not to eliminate very good candidates.
5. Regarding the 3rd and 4th MQs:
The 3rd one currently reads: 10 or more years of experience at several university libraries. The word "several" may not say what the Selection Committee wants (we probably would not want 10 yrs of experience at 10 libraries). An alternative might be: 10 or more years of experience as a librarian in university libraries.
6. The 4th one currently reads: 5 years minimum experience in senior management at an ARL, Carnegie I university library. The designation "Carnegie I" may be too limiting and may actually not be quite accurate. If Carnegie classifications are used, the Selection Committee should examine the classification system to determine which classifications should be included to provide a suitable pool of applicants.
7. ..any advertisement, job description or statement about the University of Hawaii's search for a new librarian should seek out applicants who have a knowledge and understanding of scholarship - preferably someone who has done research/publication - I would hope that there would be a chance of getting someone who is a book person, in other words, with of course an understanding of (and ability to manage) the Library's need for electronic resources. I guess that this means that I prefer the 1982 statement, "Clear understanding of role of library in support of major academic and research programs" as opposed to 1999 wording - "ability to manage and provide leadership in a rapidly changing environment"
Desirable Qualifications
1. Formal training in management or relevant advanced degrees might added.
Other comments
1. I'd like to request that the Selection Committee let librarians review the final draft of the position announcement before it is released.
2. I would like to suggest that under the section Fulfill the Mission for the Lib..... the 4th item says: Give continuous study to the needs and conditions of UH Library information resources that this be amended to say something like ....traditional book collections and latest developments in information resources. I don't see anything anywhere in this long description about books. This was the only place I thought it could be fit in, other than stating something separately.
3. Under Fulfill the Mission for the University Library…
Assure responsibility utilization of a library budget.. It should be "responsible"
A suggested revision submitted by one library faculty member.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
B.A. or B.S. degree
Accredited Master's of Library & Information Science or Master's of Library Studies.
8 or more years of successful administrative experience at in academic libraries.
5 years progressively increasing responsibilities in executive or management position(s) in academic libraries.
Demonstrated ability to manage and provide leadership in a rapidly changing environment.
Demonstrated understating of role of library in support of academic and research programs.
Demonstrated understanding of non-Western academic areas.
Evidence of ability to relate successfully to various sectors of the community.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students, faculty & administrators.
Experience in planning, budgeting, personnel management.
Experience in management of information technologies.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Solid record of performance in regional and national professional organizations.
Contributions to the literature of the profession.
POSITION DESCRIPTION: ASSIGNED DUTIES
Fulfill the mission for the University Library.
Organize, direct, evaluate library programs directed to satisfying the academic information needs at the University Community.
Work with the Sr. VP and Executive Vice Chancellor of Manoa, deans and directors to ensure that Library services evolve in step with academic program requirements.
Plan for program development and improved library services on an ongoing basis.
Establish overall library policies, operating priorities and rules governing library services.
Interpret library policies and rules to students, faculty, Univ. administration and the general public.
Establish and maintain effective relationships within the University.
Represent the Library at meetings such as Deans/Directors Meetings, UH Manoa Faculty Lib. Comm. and the Board of Governors of Hawai'i Medical Library. [i.e. on campus and in state].
Communicate goals and objectives of the Library to Library staff.
Facilitate the accomplishment of library goals and objectives.
Assure effective use of resources to accomplish Library mission and goals.
Recruit and retain qualified librarian faculty members and other administrative staff.
Assume responsible administration of staff at over 141 including 53 librarians with faculty status.
Assume responsibility for allocation and utilization of a library budget [which currently amounts to 9.7 million per year].
Formulate and defend library budgets and financial plans.
Testify before University and Legislative bodies regarding budgetary matters as requested.
Organize, direct and evaluate library facilities planning.
Initiate formal and informal agreements with outside institutions, other Libraries and information service organizations for fundraising and development.
Develop the Library Associates & the library friends' group.
Promote the Library's fundraising efforts as part of the University's fund-raising initiative.