Finding Balance: Examining the Experiences of Supervisory Technical Services Librarians on the Tenure Track.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Finding Balance: Examining the Experiences of Supervisory Technical Services Librarians on the Tenure Track.
Authors:	Howell, Susan M.¹ showell@lib.siu.edu, Busch, Tammie² tabusch@siue.edu
Source:	Library Resources & Technical Services. Jul2024, Vol. 68 Issue 3, p1-20. 20p.
Subject Terms:	Librarians, Library administration, *Library planning, Library technical services, Employment tenure
Abstract:	Many technical services librarians manage departments and supervise staff while trying to achieve the requirements of tenure. While this scenario is not unique to technical services, historically technical services departments have been deprioritized over more public-facing departments, creating an added burden for tenure-track technical services librarians. This topic has only been minimally explored in professional literature. The present qualitative research study examines the ways in which the responsibilities of tenure-track technical services librarians who supervise staff impact the amount of time they can devote to the requirements of tenure, and utilizes focus groups to hear from both those who have been awarded tenure and those who are going through the process. Participants reported that they are experiencing both challenges and successes in the process, yet need more support. The results of this study may be of interest to both librarians navigating the tenure process and the colleagues and administrators who support them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Education Research Complete

Description
Abstract:	Many technical services librarians manage departments and supervise staff while trying to achieve the requirements of tenure. While this scenario is not unique to technical services, historically technical services departments have been deprioritized over more public-facing departments, creating an added burden for tenure-track technical services librarians. This topic has only been minimally explored in professional literature. The present qualitative research study examines the ways in which the responsibilities of tenure-track technical services librarians who supervise staff impact the amount of time they can devote to the requirements of tenure, and utilizes focus groups to hear from both those who have been awarded tenure and those who are going through the process. Participants reported that they are experiencing both challenges and successes in the process, yet need more support. The results of this study may be of interest to both librarians navigating the tenure process and the colleagues and administrators who support them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	00242527
DOI:	10.5860/lrts.68n3.7996