Jump to criteria by rank: Assistant Librarian/Archivist | Associate Librarian/Archivist | Librarian/Archivist
Librarians at Marquette are evaluated on three types of activity—1) job performance, 2) professional growth, and 3) service. For each employee all three are evaluated annually by department heads, or the dean.
There are three ranks of librarians and archivists—Assistant, Associate, and Librarian or Archivist. The Masters of Library Science is the terminal degree for librarians in all three ranks. Archivists may substitute a Masters degree in History or in another relevant subject. For more detail on the process of advancing in rank see Procedures for Promotion in Rank for Marquette University Librarians and Archivists.
Advancement in rank assumes excellent performance of basic job requirements, documented with a letter from the applicant’s supervisor, which will be included in their dossier. Librarians and archivists move up through the ranks by demonstrating increasing achievements in professional growth and service. Such achievements are marked at each successive stage by more initiative, increased creativity, greater import, or a wider audience. Someone promoted in rank is expected to maintain the level of activity appropriate to it.
The initial appointment rank is determined by a combination of position needs and the librarian’s experience, skills, and professional achievements. In recommending the rank of a new hire, the Committee on Appointments and Promotion of the Librarians’ Assembly will consider factors such as the following: special skills required for the position; previous position and rank at another institution; extent of professional experience as a librarian or archivist; participation in professional and scholarly associations; publication in librarianship, archival studies, or other related fields; and responsibility for developing and implementing policies, programs, procedures and services.
Of the three ranks, only that of Assistant Librarian or Assistant Archivist has a time limit, in this case after the fifth year of employment at Marquette University. The years of employment are calculated from the effective date of appointment (start date). Thus, for promotion from assistant to associate, the candidate must begin the process of review for promotion in their sixth year at Marquette. People at this first level must move up to Associate or receive a terminal contract. The rank of Assistant Librarian or Assistant Archivist is designed for recent graduates holding the Masters in Library Science, or its equivalent, who have not had the time to meet the requirements for advancement. Librarians and archivists who advance to the other two ranks may remain in them indefinitely.
This is the entry level professional rank for librarians and archivists. After five years the archivist or librarian either advances to the next rank or leaves the employment of the Library after a terminal year. In the case of medical or other leave of absence, the librarian or archivist, the department head, or the Associate Dean may also request—in the case of Assistant Librarians or Assistant Archivists—that the Dean of Libraries recommend to the Provost additional time for promotion.
A person appointed at the Assistant rank has a Master's degree in Library Science or its equivalent, while having little or no professional experience. In recruiting for appointment to this rank, the library seeks candidates who have the capacity and desire to develop the skills and level of professional commitment outlined in Procedures for Promotion in Rank for Marquette University Librarians and Archivists. As part of their continued professional growth and service, librarians and archivists at this rank are expected to (1) demonstrate initiative in enhancing professional growth by participating in professional organizations at the state or regional level and (2) begin to undertake a service role within the library and the wider Marquette community, for example, through such means as participation in the Librarians’ Assembly and university committees. Those at this rank are expected to continue to enhance their job performance and maintain appropriate contributions to the library, the university, and the profession.
This rank requires continued professional growth and service, as outlined in Procedures for Promotion in Rank for Marquette University Librarians and Archivists. Librarians and archivists appointed or promoted to this rank must demonstrate a substantial mastery of a major subject discipline or library specialty and play a leadership role in the profession through holding responsible positions in professional organizations and/or through publication.
Appointment at this rank requires a similar rank at another institution (or demonstrated equivalent contributions in professional growth and service to the library/profession), as well as a Master’s degree in Library Science or its equivalent and normally at least five years of professional experience.
Promotion to this rank requires a Master's degree in Library Science or its equivalent and normally at least five years of professional experience. People at this rank will have performed in an exemplary manner as an Assistant Librarian/Archivist at Marquette or at a similar position elsewhere.
As part of their continued professional growth and service, librarians and archivists at this rank will make noteworthy contributions to the profession through presentations, publications, and/or through leadership in organizations at the state, regional, or national levels. The person will possess mastery of a substantial subject discipline or of a particular area of librarianship or archival work. Their level of expertise will make them resource persons for other library staff and/or patrons; they may also be recognized as experts outside of the university. Those at this rank are expected to continue to enhance their job performance and maintain appropriate contributions to the library, the university, and the profession.
This rank requires continued professional growth and service, as outlined in Procedures for Promotion in Rank for Marquette University Librarians and Archivists. Librarians and archivists appointed or promoted to this rank must demonstrate outstanding and sustained mastery of a major subject discipline or library specialty. This degree of mastery will be consistently evident in the quality of their leadership at Marquette and in notable contributions to the profession, expressed most often in various forms of leadership, teaching, publication, and consultation. Their mastery will be prized not just at Marquette but also throughout the profession, evidenced in recognition at the national level.
Appointment at this rank requires a similar rank at another institution (or demonstrated equivalent contributions in professional growth and service to the library/profession), as well as a Master’s degree or its equivalent and normally twelve years of professional experience.
Promotion to this rank requires a Master's degree in Library Science or its equivalent and normally twelve years of professional experience. People at this rank will have performed in an exemplary manner as an Associate Librarian/Archivist at Marquette or in a similar position elsewhere. Only work completed since achieving or appointment to Associate rank will be considered toward this rank.
As part of their continued professional growth and service, those who attain this ultimate rank will make outstanding contributions to the library and to the profession. They will have achieved national recognition as experts and be acknowledged leaders within their chosen fields as evidenced by appointed or elected office in organizations at the state, regional, or national levels and by a minimum of two publications (at least one of which is refereed) in the candidate’s professional area of expertise, including but not limited to journal articles, co-authored or co-edited monographs, or other scholarly works. Alternatively, a single authored monograph in a reputable press will meet publication requirement for this rank.
Those at this rank are expected to continue to enhance their job performance and maintain nationally recognized contributions to the library, the university, and the profession.
Changes to this document may be initiated by the Academic Librarians’ Assembly or the Dean of Libraries, and they must be approved by the Dean of Libraries and the Academic Librarians’ Assembly.
Approved by the Marquette University Promotion and Tenure Committee on February 19, 2008.
Approved by the Academic Librarians’ Assembly on May 20, 2008; amended and approved by the Assembly on June 15, 2016.
Raynor Memorial Libraries
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Information Services: (414) 288-7556
Report an accessibility
problem.
To report another problem, please contact: kelly.kobiela@marquette.edu
