Academic Status

Librarians are academic appointees at the University of California. Academic status is the sum of the privileges, rights and responsibilities accorded to librarians as professional employees whose work is closely related to the teaching and research functions of the University. Self-governance, University support of professional development and discretionary use of time in the fulfillment of responsibilities are hallmarks of this status, based on academic traditions of autonomy and sustained professional growth. Academic status therefore includes but is not limited to: the freedom to perform a range of functions within the profession, a choice of avenues for professional development, performance evaluation based on activities relevant to the profession, review by one's peers and job security as stated in University policies and contracts.

See Lauc Position Paper 5: The Academic Librarian in the University of California

History and Purpose of LAUC

The Librarians Association of the University of California (LAUC), founded in 1967, is a statewide organization of all librarians employed at least half time by the University. Membership is automatic and entails no dues. In 1971, after local chapters at each campus had worked for LAUC recognition, the Association was authorized to use the name of the University. In 1975 LAUC was formally recognized as an official unit of the University. The objectives of LAUC are: to advise the University on professional and governance matters, to make recommendations concerning UC librarian's rights, privileges, and obligations, and to promote full utilization of UC librarians' professional abilities. A comprehensive history of LAUC-LA is also available.

Organization

The LAUC statewide organization is composed of an Executive Board, including the President, Vice-President/President-Elect, Secretary, immediate Past president, and the chairs of the nine campus divisions. The officers of LAUC are elected by the membership. The President calls at least two assembly meetings per year to which each division sends a delegation in proportion to its membership. The assembly hears reports from the President and the chairs of committees, discusses current issues, and debates and votes on resolutions and committee recommendations.

LAUC at UCLA (LAUC-LA) is composed of an Executive Board, including the Chair, the Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, Secretary, immediate Past Chair, two representatives, and the chairs of three key LAUC-LA committees: the Committee on Library Plans and Policies, the Committee on Professional Governance, and the Committee on Research and Professional Development. The LAUC-LA officers and the representatives are elected by the membership. The LAUC-LA committee chairs are appointed by the Chair-Elect, in consultation with the outgoing Executive Board. Twice a year the Chair, Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, and the two representatives attend the LAUC statewide assembly. With the assistance of the Executive Board, the current Chair appoints the members of all other LAUC-LA committees. Twice a year the Chair calls general membership meetings. The Executive Board meets regularly with the University Librarian as part of the Executive Board meetings. All members are welcome to attend Executive Board meetings.

Most of the work of LAUC is accomplished through local and statewide committees. Often, following discussion of an issue by a committee, a report containing findings and recommendations is forwarded by the LAUC-LA Executive Board to the University Librarian and the Vice Chancellors.

Peer Review

All LAUC members participate in a peer review process. Late in the fall, the Library Administration issues the CALL for merit increases and promotion recommendations and notifies all UCLA librarians of their eligibility for merit increase or promotion. The review initiator evaluates the job performance of each librarian. It is the responsibility of each librarian to keep a record of all professional activities which will be included in the academic review record. To assist librarians in preparing their documentation, an orientation for new librarians, and a peer review documentation workshop are held by LAUC-LA in late fall, after the CALL has been issued.

Each year the Peer Review Coordinator (the LAUC-LA Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect) appoints a Committee for Peer Review of approximately thirty librarians to serve for one year and publishes the names of the committee members. From this committee the Peer Review Coordinator forms confidential three-person subcommittees to review personnel action recommendations. The committee agrees or disagrees with the recommendation and forwards its report to the University Librarian who makes the final decision and informs the librarian under review of the action.

Ways to Get Involved in LAUC

All members are encouraged to attend the two LAUC-LA general membership meetings held in the fall and spring each year. Agendas and documents to be discussed are distributed to members in advance of each meeting. A reception for new librarians traditionally follows the fall meeting. At the fall meeting the Chair At the spring meeting the Chair presents an annual report which summarizes local and statewide activities. Additional membership meetings may be called by the Chair at any time as important issues arise that require discussion by all LAUC-LA members. Members are also encouraged to attend meetings of the LAUC-LA Executive Board which meets each month. Members may also attend the LAUC statewide assemblies, held each fall and spring at one of the UC campuses. Announcements about the LAUC statewide assemblies, LAUC-LA meetings and programs, and issues related to LAUC are posted on LAUCTALK-L, the LAUC-LA listserv. The LAUC-LA website, provides much information about LAUC-LA, as well as links to the statewide LAUC website. LAUC members can become more involved in local and statewide activities by volunteering for committee assignments and running for office. Members make known their interest by filling out the LAUC-LA committee interest form that is distributed in the summer of each year.

Key Documents for Librarians

1. The CALL for merit increases and promotion recommendations, is a UCLA Library Administration document outlining the calendar and procedures for reviews of librarians
2. The ACADEMIC PERSONNEL MANUAL (APM), is an official University of California document. APM sections 210-4 and 360 pertain to non-represented librarians in the Librarian Series and are referenced in the CALL. APM 110-4 and other APM sections pertain to all members of the Librarian Series.
3. The PEER REVIEW MANUAL is a LAUC-LA document prepared for the use of the Committee on Peer Review in their review of librarian personnel actions.
4. The LAUC-LA BYLAWS and LAUC-LA ROSTER OF OFFICERS are both available on the LAUC-LA website.
5. The University of California and University Federation of Librarians, University Council-American Federation of Teachers (UFL) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, is the contract for represented librarians in the Librarian Series and is referenced in the CALL. It is avaialble online, and is issued in print form to new librarians by Library Human Resources.