Establishing Library Tenure Track & Pre-Tenure Program

Task Force for Establishing a Library Task Force for Establishing a Library Pre Pre- -Tenure Track Program Tenure Track Program Update on Initial Working Group Discussions April 8, 2020

Outline Background Working Group Purpose & Members Discussion to Date Potential Paths (1-4) Training/Research Opportunities to Encourage Feedback opportunities

Background input during research challenges discussions: finding time for research difficulty for individuals new to a tenure-track system and without a research background interest in ways to improve search pools and recruitment and retention etc.

Working Group Purpose Investigate feasibility of establishing a visiting pre-tenure track faculty line, with the aim of giving individuals who may not have the research experience needed to enter into a tenure track position at the time of hire an opportunity to establish their research and publication record. For individuals who successfully meet established metrics defined for the program, there will be an opportunity to transition into a tenure track position Per EC, the charge to the working group should have the flexibility to look at other models

Working Group Members Peg Burnette Tim Cole Sara Holder Heidi Imker (chair) Lynne Rudasill David Ward

Potential Path - 1 Work within the current structure to give tenure-track faculty more time provide additional release time for research and service activities, e.g. working on research projects, taking classes, and engaging in professional development activities to benefit Librarianship, Research, and Service. Maybe via 9 month contracts with paid summer research/professional development leave? Pros - Hiring process, scoping of job duties, and yearly evaluation remains mostly the same; Addresses biggest need (time) from the research survey; Provides flexibility to schedule and choose activities unique to each faculty member Cons - Variety of work/Librarianship responsibilities and timetables of departments served would create inequity in the ability to utilize summers; Places strain on day-to-day unit management for units with a majority of tenure-track faculty

Potential Path - 2 Create a new pre-tenure track pathway (e.g. formal fellows to faculty program) to give more time establish a new post-graduate type position (sort of akin to a postdoc ), structured with an expectation that individuals will establish a research and publication record prior to starting the tenure clock. Individuals who meet expectations during the pre-tenure track period may transition into a tenure track position here at Illinois. Pros dedicated research time built into the position so potentially more equitable, less focus/stress on dossier mechanics early on, some other examples on campus (fellows to faculty in the humanities), possibly more attractive for recruiting and retention Cons new type of position = new opportunity for tensions?, defining expectations for transition to tenure track, uncertainty whether time and lack of experience are significant enough problems to warrant a new position type

Potential Path - 3 Continue to utilize the visiting model (e.g. informal fellows to faculty) continue the practice of hiring some individuals as visiting. Individuals may transition into a tenure track position depending on their own career interests, their success in the visiting position, and current library needs. Pros known model, simpler, flexible, has been helpful to some individuals who have moved into TT positions Cons does not always provide opportunities to gain research experience (inequity), sometimes uncertain commitment to the position in the long term, excessive use of such positions (especially for positions stretching many years) is frowned upon by campus, not as attractive as positions that have more permanence

Potential Paths - 4 Some combination of the above 1 - 3

Opportunities (available to Opportunities (available to everyone everyone) ) iSchool Courses e.g. 519 - Social Science Research in LIS (customized?) Bootcamps/External Training e.g. Library Juice Academy Short/Informal (e.g. workshops/panels/seminars) e.g. Doing Research in Real-World Settings (Witt and Rudasill) Research Collaborations e.g. teams centering around a research project/theme

Feedback opportunities Happy to take feedback now Thoughts can also be emailed to any committee member