University of South Alabama Faculty Handbook, July 2023
Below are sections of the USA Faculty Handbook that are relevant to the open positions. Click on the link above to see the complete information contained within the Faculty Handbook.
3.4 Librarian Faculty
Rank 3.4.1 Professional Librarians
Professional librarians at the University of South Alabama shall have faculty status equivalent in all respects, including eligibility for tenure, to that status enjoyed by those in the departments of instruction, but professional librarians shall not hold professorial rank per se. Although faculty status for professional librarians carries all the rights and privileges of the instructional faculty, three aspects of faculty status must not be misunderstood. First, although the ranks of professional librarians and their suggested instructional counterparts may be established, the rank structure of professional librarians and the rank structure for members of the faculty whose primary function is instruction and research shall be denominated differently (see below). Second, although carrying different designations, no differences are intended, nor shall any be made. Third, the ranks of professional librarians differ from those of the instructional staff because of the basic differences in function. Consequently, the criteria for promotion are different.
The library ranks and their instructional counterparts are as follows:
Library Rank Counterpart Rank
Instructor Librarian (non-tenure only) Instructor
Senior Instructor Librarian (non-tenure only) Senior Instructor
Assistant Librarian Assistant Professor
Associate Librarian Associate Professor
Senior Librarian Professor
Rank at the time of appointment will be determined by educational credentials and professional experience. Only those with terminal degrees are eligible for Assistant, Associate and Senior Librarian rank. In accordance with the policy of the Association of College and Research Libraries, the Master’s Degree in Library Science from an institution accredited by the American Library Association is considered the appropriate terminal degree for librarians employed in the academic setting. Tenure determinations will be made for professional librarians in accordance with the policies in effect for the instructional ranks on an equivalent basis. Promotion in rank will occur on the basis of performance and merit as determined by the stated criteria for promotion, both general and specific, included below.
3.4.3 Assistant Librarian
This rank includes all positions that involve application of professional knowledge, responsibility for performance of others, and independent professional judgment. Persons in this position assist in policy-making decisions and perform independently; a supervisor is available for consultation when necessary. Assistant Librarian is the minimum rank for department heads. Minimum Qualifications: A Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program or an equivalent terminal degree. Persons holding this rank perform professional duties with considerable autonomy and serve their profession, the University, and the community.