8/6/2019 Librarian is Teaching or Non Teaching

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Librarian is Teaching or Non Teaching

There is a lot of talk about the place of librarians in academics. I worked for faculty status

and non-faculty status positions. I am happy with either position since Im doing my job, my work; I

can publish and speak regardless of whether or not anyone tells me to. But I never really understood

why some libraries had a status while others didnt.

What specifically is the purpose of having a status track for librarians? To encourage

publication? To put librarians on the same level as other academic faculty? To create job security? To

get the respect we deserve? Maybe thats why I like discuss here. I dont getjudged for my age, my

looks or my chair. Im judged for what I am and what I do.

Librarian with faculty rank. Theonly places I see our faculty rank coming into play is inpayroll, vacation days, and in the ability to be a part of faculty clubs and other committees.

While we have a place at the table, we are certainly not seen as faculty members by thefaculty. It is clear to me that the faculty members see us as support staff. They see us as people who

help them find articles and help their students to learn how to do library research. They dont see usas teachers, as creators of knowledge, and as experts in our particular field (librarianship). And in

spite of our degrees and our knowledge, we are here to supportthe students and faculty. Thats our

job. So while Id love for faculty members to see me as an intellectual equal and to understand what Ido, I dont think status is whatwould do it.

Some persons arguing against made the valid point that librarians can become involved in

faculty committees simply by being given faculty rank. However, they also argued that librarians dontneed the security of tenure because they are collecting knowledge not creating it. There I disagree.

There are plenty of librarians who write and who do original research. There are plenty of librarians

on the cutting edge of technology and are developing amazing applications. They are creating

knowledge. If the purpose of librarians having tenure is to secure academic freedom for us (and the

ability to take sabbaticals to do original research and whatnot), Im all for it. Butthat is rarely an

argument.

With faculty status, librarians find it easier to earn the respect of their faculty peers and

administrators. They become credible academics who are capable partners in the shaping of teaching

and research. As faculty members, librarians are more likely to have a say in establishing the criteria

on which academe will judge libraries in the 21st century.

Srinivasa Rao Ganta