Librarian Rankings

The following definitions are from ACRL for Librarian I-IV:

Promotion to the ranks requires a record of successful fulfillment of criteria at the lower level.

Librarian I:
Appointments at this entry level rank shall require expectation of successful overall performance and the potential for a promising career in librarianship.

Librarian II:
Promotion to this rank shall require evidence of significant professional contributions to the library and/or to the institution.

Librarian III:
Promotion to this rank shall require evidence of substantial professional contributions to the library and to the institution as well as attainment of a high level in bibliographical activities, in research, or in other professional endeavors.

Librarian IV:
Promotion to this rank shall require outstanding achievements in bibliographical activities, in research, or in other professional endeavors.

To further clarify the above ACRL definitions, the following statements and expanded definitions are included.

Where SMU Libraries requires or prefers a second or other additional degree beyond the MLS, the librarian hired should receive a salary commensurate with professional education attained. For example, this would include a law librarian for which a JD is also required; a reference librarian where a subject degree is required or preferred; etc.

Criteria for evaluation will determine at what level a librarian is appointed and promoted, except in the case of department heads, assistant and associate directors where appointments will be made at the Librarian II level or higher, depending upon years of progressively more responsible administrative and/or managerial experience, education, and demonstrated abilities for such positions, and salaries will begin at a competitive market level for these types of positions. Promotions and salary increases will, however, be based on evaluative criteria listed below, with emphasis on administrative and/or managerial responsibilities. If department heads, assistant, and associate directors resign from an administrative or managerial position, or are removed from their administrative or managerial positions, salaries will revert to the appropriate scale for those in Librarian ranks I through IV without such assigned duties. Associate Director and Director position salaries are negotiable and may include salaries beyond the salary range for Librarian I through IV. Normally incumbents in the director positions for CUL, Bridwell, and Law will be appointed at a rank of Librarian IV; incumbents in other director, associate director, and head of library positions will be appointed at a Librarian III rank or above. Department heads will be appointed at a Librarian II rank or above. Such incumbents will be expected to have met the evaluative criteria for the appropriate rank prior to appointment to administrative and/or managerial positions.

Librarian I:
This rank is assigned to entry-level librarians with the required educational background but who have little or no pertinent experience in a comparable position elsewhere. Librarian I is considered the initial growth rank in the librarian's profession, during which both the individual and organization seek to identify the new librarian's strengths and weaknesses and develop his or her basic skills, expertise, and abilities. Librarian Is may be expected to assume responsibility for supervision of Library Specialists and student assistants, but will probably not be assigned managerial responsibility for a major function or department.

Librarian II:
The initial professional rank is granted to librarians with the required educational background who have demonstrated professional competence as a Librarian I at SMU or in a comparable position elsewhere. At this rank librarians are expected to enhance the basic skills, build upon their expertise and abilities developed as Librarian I, add new areas of position-related expertise and exhibit an overall understanding of the libraries' operations and how they interrelate. In addition, librarians should continue academic activities and pursuits and begin to contribute to the profession in areas such as service on library or university committees, professional activities, or research.

Librarian IIs may be expected to assume responsibility for supervision of Library Specialists
and student assistants and may be assigned managerial responsibility for major functions or
small departments.

Librarian III:
This rank is granted to librarians with substantial and successful experience as a Librarian II at SMU or in a comparable position elsewhere. This level is the one which the majority of librarians should strive to attain. Librarians in this rank are expected to have mastered their particular areas of responsibility and must continue to increase their job-related expertise. Additional factors required of this rank may include: adhering to high standards of service; demonstrating leadership abilities in library or university committees; assuming leadership roles with library staff; engaging in outside professional activities, and/or furthering research and academic achievements. Librarian IIIs may be expected to assume responsibility for supervision of other Librarians, Library Specialists and student assistants and may be assigned managerial responsibility for major departments. Librarians at this rank will attain recognition for their abilities in the local/regional arena.

Librarian IV:
This rank is reserved for those librarians who have integrated superior job performance at SMU with a significant record of contributions to library/information science or academia. A Librarian IV furthers the image and mission of SMU's libraries while setting standards of performance and scholarship which other librarians and staff should emulate. Promotion to this rank is exceptional, and an overall evaluation of excellence with a continued record of professional service outside the libraries must be maintained. Librarian IVs may be expected to assume responsibility for supervision of other librarians and support staff. Directors and Associate Directors will probably be at this rank. Librarians at this rank will attain recognition for their abilities in the national/regional arena.