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Professional Development Leave Committee

Committee Members

Amy Gilgan (Chair)
3 year term; expires Spring 2024

Brian Schumacher
3 year term; expires Spring 2024

Annie Reid
3 year term; expires Spring 2024

Jennifer Nutefall (Dean's Appointee)
Dean of Libraries, University of Northern Colorado

Overview

Purpose

The purpose of a professional development leave is to increase the effectiveness of the librarian to the University, the Library, and to afford the librarian further opportunity for professional development.

One of the goals of the Professional Development Leave Committee is to encourage many librarians to take advantage of this.

Eligibility and Timeframe

A librarian who has achieved permanent status shall be eligible for professional development leave.

The Professional Development Committee will usually give preference to applicants who have not previously been awarded a leave.

Most leaves cannot exceed 7 weeks duration and can be either 7 continuous weeks or broken up into smaller segments, depending on the nature of the goals of the leave. No librarian may be approved for more than two 7-week leaves in any 5 year period. See: CBA sec. 24.8.3(B)(2)

If working on an article for a peer reviewed journal, librarians have the option of taking a maximum of 10 weeks leave. No librarian may take more than one 10-week leave in any 5 year period. See: CBA sec. 24.8.3(B)(3)

Terms

A librarian shall receive full salary and benefits during a professional development leave of up to seven weeks.

A librarian in accepting a grant of professional development leave assumes an obligation to pursue the program for which the leave was granted.

Application Process

  • No later than September 1st of a calendar year, a written proposal will be submitted for leave in the next calendar year. Applicants must submit a signed hard copy of their proposal to the Dean's office, as well as email a scanned copy to the Dean (cc Library Business Manager). The proposal should outline how the leave will contribute to the professional development of the librarian and how it will increase the professional effectiveness of the librarian.
  • Applications must include each of the following sections:
    • GOALS: Specific goals to be achieved during the leave.
    • TIMELINE: A time schedule of how and when goals will be accomplished.
    • VALUE: Explanation of how the leave will contribute to the professional development of the librarian and the value of granting a leave to the University, the Library, and the applicant.
    • ASSESSMENT: A description of plans for assessment of the project.
    • FUNDING: Any perceived funding needs (such as an application to the Faculty Development Fund, tuition, conference fees, office supplies, etc.) A separate application for funding should be submitted to the Faculty Development Fund Committee.   
    • NOTE: for more specific details, see the language in CBA Sec. 24.8.3(B)(2).
  • The leave proposal must be written in complete sentences.
  • The completed and signed Application for Professional Development Leave form must be submitted with the written proposal. The form includes:
    • The WORK AGREEMENT: The applicant’s agreement to work at the university as a librarian for one academic year after the completion of the leave (unless waived in writing by the Dean).
    • The REPORTING AGREEMENT: The applicant’s agreement to submit a report (unless waived by the Dean) within 30 days of the conclusion of the leave on the extent to which he or she has achieved the purpose for which the leave was granted.
      • The report will be submitted to the Dean and all four members of the Professional Development Leave Committee. 
  • Any changes to the timeline and/or scope of project should be discussed with the Library Dean.

An application may be returned to the applicant by the Professional Leave Committee or the Dean with a request for more information or clarification of information.

Criteria Used to Award Leaves

The following criteria will be used by the Professional Development Leave Committee in recommending leaves:

  • Value of granting a leave to the University, the Library, and the applicant.
  • Priority will be given to those applicants who have not previously been awarded a leave.
  • Number of leaves previously taken (priority will be given to those with fewer leaves).
  • Clearly stated purpose and organized leave plan.

Examples of Leave Proposals

Here are a few examples of how professional development leave can be used. This list does not limit applicants to only these types of activities but is intended to be illustrative only:

  • Research and writing activities, such as development of a Web tutorial or authorship of a journal article or book chapter.
  • Study in institutions of higher learning.
  • Serving as a visiting librarian at another college or university.
  • Other work which may develop skills which will benefit the Library and the University.

Reporting After Leave Completion

A report of the results of the professional development leave must be presented to the Dean of the Library and all 4 (four) members of the Professional Development Leave Committee within 30 (thirty) days after the end of the professional development leave. The librarian shall demonstrate the extent to which they achieved the purpose for which the leave was granted. The reports should be in a narrative format that includes sections on the extent to which the goals, value, and assessment for the project was met.
 

Timeline For the Application Process

September 1
Librarian’s leave proposal and signed application form are due to the Dean's Office. Dean’s office staff date-stamps applications when received.

September 15
Dean’s office staff scans and emails application(s) to all 4 (four) Professional Development Leave Committee members for their review.

October 15 – November 15
Professional Development Leave Committee submits its recommendations in rank order with rationale to the Dean.

December 15 (or earlier)
The Dean provides final approval or denial of leave in writing to the applicants and all 4 (four) members of the Professional Development Leave Committee.

December 16 – 31
Dean makes announcement to all Library staff after acknowledgement from applicant.

Past Recipients

2023

Nicky Andrews

  • Visiting librarian at Te Mātāpuna - the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Library

Annie Pho

  • Experiences of BIPOC library workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

2022

Debbie Benrubi

  • How Gleeson Library can better address food insecurity on campus

Anders Lyon

  • Library Website Content Strategy

Claire Sharifi

2021

Amy Gilgan

2020

Sherise Kimura

  • The Lived Experiences of Electronic Resources Librarians of Color

2019

Matthew Collins

2018

Claire Sharifi

 

Justine Withers

2017

Gina Solares

Colette Hayes

2016

Amy Gilgan

Claire Sharifi

2015

Ben Watson

2014

Sherise Kimura

2013

John Hawk

2012

Carol Spector

2011

Vicki Rosen

Jessica Lu

2010

Vicki Rosen

2009

Joe Garity

Shawn Calhoun

2006

Locke Morrisey

2005

Sherise Kimura

  • Online Research Tutorial

2004

Debbie Malone

  • USF Archives Documentation Part 2

2003

Ben Watson

2002

Debbie Malone

2001

John Hawk

Randy Souther

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