Collective Agreement
July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2010
ARTICLE 19: APPOINTMENT (LIBRARIANS)
19.1 Appointment of a librarian member shall be to the rank of Librarian I, Librarian II, Librarian III, or Librarian IV, in accordance with the following criteria:
19.1.1 Librarian I: possession of a Master's Degree in Library or Information Science, or a combination of Bachelor's Degree in Library or Information Science and relevant professional experience equivalent to a Master's Degree;
19.1.2 Librarian II: possession of a Master's Degree in Library or Information Science or its equivalent, a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience as a librarian, and either a second Master's Degree in a pertinent field, or a demonstrated capacity to apply professional and related academic expertise in the library;
19.1.3 Librarian III: possession of a Master's Degree in Library or Information Science or its equivalent, a minimum of six (6) years of professional experience as a librarian, and either a second Master's Degree in a pertinent field, or a demonstrated capacity to apply professional and related academic expertise in the library appropriate to the number of years of her professional experience and service;
19.1.4 Librarian IV: possession of a Master's Degree in Library or Information Science or its equivalent, a minimum of six (6) years of experience as a professional librarian, and a record of significant contribution to librarianship through scholarly activities, administrative service, or participation at a senior level in external library organizations.
19.2 All bargaining unit appointments for librarians shall be with term, probationary, or without term (otherwise known as permanent appointments). Normally, initial appointments shall be probationary; those with permanence shall be reviewed by the University Review Committee for Librarians. Appointments at the rank of Librarian III or above shall be with permanence.
19.2.1 All appointments with permanence carry with them the need for departmental recommendation and consideration of criteria contained in Article 21.22.
19.3 Initial appointments for librarians shall normally be full-time probationary appointments. Continuing partial-time (three-quarters or half-load) appointments may be made upon the request of the member with the concurrence of the University Librarian. Partial-time appointments carry with them a proration of all matters pertaining to contractual considerations, as defined in Article 21.
19.4 Initial probationary appointments shall normally be for a period of three years and shall terminate on the thirtieth of June.
19.5 When a candidate at the rank of Librarian I is reappointed after 3 years of service it shall be at the rank of Librarian II.
19.6 Appointments with term for librarian members shall be made for the following purposes only:
19.6.1 to replace a librarian member on leave or secondment;
19.6.2 to staff a library position funded by a research grant or government
programme;19.6.3 to staff a library position in response to an emergency arising from the sudden death, illness or resignation of a librarian member;
19.6.4 to meet a need arising from a significant increase in workload;
19.6.5 to staff a library position in the event of an inconclusive search to fill a probationary position;
19.6.6 to staff a library position where there is insufficient time for a full search;
19.6.7 to retain a librarian member following retirement from the University
(renewable on an annual basis);19.6.8 to retain a librarian member following a decision not to grant permanence (to a maximum of twelve months);
19.6.9 to staff positions for such other reasons as may, from time to time be agreed upon by the Joint Committee for the Administration of the Agreement.
19.7 A librarian member who serves in term positions for a total of thirty-six (36) months or more over a four year period shall be offered a probationary appointment and shall be eligible for reappointment and permanence in accordance with the procedures contained in Article 21.
19.7.1 The provisions in 19.7 shall not apply retroactively to any term positions served prior to 1 July, 2007.
19.7.2 Librarians holding term positions fully funded through off-campus or distance programs of defined duration are not subject to the provisions of Article 19.7.
19.8 All appointments of librarian members shall be made by a standard Letter of Appointment which shall include:
19.8.1 dates of commencement and termination;
19.8.2 rank;
19.8.3 salary;
19.8.4 type (i.e. term, probationary or permanent);
19.8.5 where applicable, the condition supporting appointment with term;
19.8.6 nature (i.e. full-time or partial-time);
19.8.7 description of special duties, including flexible work schedules pursuant to Article 24.3;
19.8.8 any special conditions, including recognition of years of experience or academic and/or professional credentials required for reappointment, promotion or permanence, and/or recognition of up to two years of University experience, as approved by the University Librarian, to count as continuous service towards sabbatical leave.
19.9 Letters of appointment shall be accompanied by a copy of this Agreement and by the published documents describing group insurance and pension plans currently in effect.
19.10 When a position in the bargaining unit is available, the following shall occur:
19.10.1 Only members holding probationary, permanent or post-retirement term positions are eligible to serve on a Librarian Appointment Committee (LAC). A LAC shall be formed, consisting of all the eligible members, or in cases where there are more than six eligible members, a maximum of six such members, to be elected by the librarian members.
19.10.1.1 Where there are fewer than four (4) such members eligible to vote, the members in consultation with the University Librarian, shall establish an ad hoc LAC, by appointing sufficient tenured or probationary faculty members with expertise in the field to bring the membership of the LAC to four (4). The LAC shall elect a Chair from among its members.
19.10.2 Librarian members are eligible to attend the Annual Fair Hiring Workshop outlined in Article 18.10.2.
19.10.3 The University Librarian, in consultation with the LAC, shall prepare an
outline of the qualifications, areas of competence and any instructional responsibilities required of the position, and draft an appropriate advertisement.19.10.4 The Vice-President (Academic) shall authorize the placement of an appropriate advertisement using relevant print and online avenues, outlining the position and its requirements, including any required flexible work schedules, and directing candidates to apply to the University Librarian. No additions or alterations to the qualifications, specific areas of competence and instructional responsibilities authorized by the University Librarian shall be made in the advertisement without prior consultation and the agreement of the librarian members.
19.10.5 The Chair of the LAC shall forward a short list of one or more candidates, ranked as to preference, to the University Librarian. The list shall be based on a review of the complete file of each candidate, including an assessment of the candidate's credentials, competence in the performance of library duties, and competence in scholarship and/or professional activity. Where a member holding an appointment with term possesses the qualifications and specific areas of competence identified in the advertisement, she shall be placed on the short list and be interviewed for the appointment.
19.10.6 Normally, the three top candidates from the short list may be interviewed; the University Librarian may authorize additional interviews.
19.10.7 The LAC, the University Librarian and/or the Vice-President (Academic) shall interview candidates.
19.10.8 All efforts must be made to ensure equal and fair treatment of all candidates, it being understood that parts of the interview may need to be tailored to the individual candidate. Each candidate shall be assessed for all requirements of the position. The interview process shall include the following:
19.10.8.1 A formal group interview with the LAC which shall include a pre-formulated and standardized set of questions;
19.10.8.2 A presentation of research, professional activity or library innovation which may be attended by all librarian members, students and other members of the university community;
19.10.8.3 An opportunity for all probationary and permanent librarians and members holding post-retirement appointments in the library to submit input on candidates to the entire LAC for its consideration;
19.10.8.4 A meeting with the University Librarian and/or Vice-President (Academic).
19.10.9 The evaluation and ranking of candidates shall be consistent with the criteria listed in the position advertisement as specified in Article 19.10.3.
19.10.10 The Chair of the LAC, on behalf of the committee, shall make a written recommendation regarding appointment to the University Librarian within five (5) working days of the final interview. This recommendation shall reflect discussion, and bear the signatures of all LAC members who participated at all stages of the short-listing and interview process. This recommendation shall be supported by reasoned advice regarding type of appointment, rank, previous years of service and any special conditions of employment that may apply and shall provide confirmation that the procedures in Article 10.10.7 were followed.
19.10.11 The University Librarian shall forward this recommendation along with her own full, reasoned written recommendation to the Vice-President (Academic). Where the recommendation of the University Librarian differs significantly from that of the LAC, the Vice-President shall meet with the University Librarian and the Chair of the LAC to attempt to resolve the matter. On the advice of the Vice-President (Academic), the President shall issue a formal offer of appointment to the candidate.
19.10.12 On the advice of the Vice-President (Academic), the President shall issue a formal offer of appointment to the candidate. The Employer recognizes the importance of ensuring that offers are made to candidates in a timely fashion, and shall endeavour to make such offers in a timely fashion.
19.10.13 Upon acceptance of a probationary appointment new librarian members are eligible to apply for a start-up research grant through the Office of Research. The approval process for such applications shall be expedited to ensure the early availability of funding where approved.
19.10.14 Notwithstanding the procedures outlined in Articles 19.9.3 to 19.9.7, where a member holding a term appointment is being considered for a further term appointment, the University Librarian, having consulted with the other Librarians regarding the member’s performance of her duties, may make a written recommendation to the Vice-President (Academic) that she be appointed upon approval of the vacancy by the Vice-President (Academic).