Unit Heads and Associate University Librarians: Appointments, Evaluation and Administrative Components of Salary

Unit Heads and Associate University Librarians: Appointments, Evaluation and Administrative Components of Salary

This document provides information to guide the process for appointments and reviews of newly-appointed unit heads and Associate University Librarians (AULs) in the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Library.  It does not affect unit heads or AULs appointed prior to 2009; a process for evaluation of existing unit heads and AUL’s will be developed at a later time.

  • All unit heads or AULs appointed after January 1, 2009 will be provided a primary job title and a secondary job title. Unit heads and AULs are appointed by the University Librarian with the advice of the Library Executive Committee and/or a search committee. Unit head and AUL appointments will carry an explicit administrative salary component. The amount of the administrative component will be determined by the University Librarian as part of the initial job offer. It will cease upon termination of appointment as unit head or AUL.
  • All unit heads and AULs will be appointed for a limited term to last no more than five years. Upon successful review, the University Librarian may re-appoint a unit head or AUL to another term. There are no term limits.
  • The University Librarian or a designee will develop a written set of expectations for each unit head and AUL, and will discuss them with the final candidate for unit head and AUL appointments. These expectations will be based on the Guidelines for Unit Head Management Responsibilities and will serve as the basis for interim and final reviews.
  • The University Librarian or his/her designee will conduct an interim review for each newly-appointed unit head after two years of service has been completed.
  • Annual evaluations will be provided for each AUL, and the University Librarian will seek the advice of the Executive Committee in conducting the evaluation.
  • A standardized formal evaluation will be conducted for each newly appointed unit head and AUL at the start of the term’s fifth year. Acting with the advice of the Executive Committee, the University Librarian will appoint a 3-person Evaluation Committee consisting of a member from AC, EC and LSSC. The committee will seek input from the unit heads’ AUL, all staff and faculty of the unit, and other Library and non-Library faculty and staff as it deems appropriate. It will maintain confidentiality throughout its processes and will report to the University Librarian, who will convey the substance of the recommendation to the unit head.
  • Upon non-renewal or the unit head/AUL’s decision not to serve another term, the position will be filled through the Library’s regular (internal or external) search process and the administrative component of the salary will be allocated to the academic pool.
  • When two or more existing units join, the University Librarian, acting with advice from the Executive Committee, will evaluate candidates and will make an appointment for a new unit head. The new unit head will carry an explicit administrative salary component, which will cease upon termination as unit head. Evaluation of the new unit head will be conducted under the process described in this policy.

Approved by Executive Committee, 1/5/2009.

Edits October 30, 2015