Implementing a Promotional Process for Academic Librarians

Abstract

This article describes how the librarians at Duquesne University’s Gumberg Library developed a system for the promotion of academic librarians. While some of the details in the article may apply only to the faculty at Gumberg Library, the thesis of this article is that other academic librarians wishing to develop similar promotional systems might benefit from what we have learned. Library faculty at other institutions should be aware of the practical aspects of aligning the library promotional path with established university structures, working with existing library culture, and making provisions for the initial cohort to work with the new guidelines. This article will be useful for librarians with faculty status who plan to implement a new promotion process or refine an existing system.