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Keywords

Student Success, Assessment, User Experience, New Faculty, Tenure, Functional Specialist

Abstract

In the summer of 2024, Wichita State University Libraries introduced new faculty librarian positions within Research and Instruction services including an Assessment & User Experience Librarian and a Student Success Librarian. As these roles are newly established, library administration left expectations largely undefined beyond a few key responsibilities. Both positions were filled in October 2024 by individuals without comparable faculty library experience, presenting challenges and opportunities for these new faculty members as they find joy in “choosing their own adventure.” While distinct, these roles complement each other in their functional titles and offer several paths for the future.

This presentation will share insight into the experience of new faculty in these positions from day-to-day work to navigating the tenure and promotion process. We seek to provide first-hand knowledge for those who may be involved in creating new faculty librarian positions as well as for individuals stepping into similar roles. As the needs of higher education communities and their libraries change, intentional hiring practices and aligning job descriptions with library goals will be imperative for individual and institutional success. This session will explore how new faculty positions can be structured for success, ensuring they align with institutional needs and professional expectations.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

References

Further Readings

Bell, S. (2019, January 08). Student success: Academic librarianship’s new Holy Grail. Library Journal. https://www.libraryjournal.com?detailStory=190109Bell-StudentSuccess

EAB. (2025, May 9) Navigate360: Higher Ed’s leading CRM. https://eab.com/solutions/navigate360/

Emmons, M., & Oakleaf, M. (2016). The ACRL standards for proficiencies for assessment librarians and coordinators: A new document to support and strengthen assessment efforts in academic libraries. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 42(5), 622-624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2016.07.006

Hoodless, C., & Pinfield, S. (2016). Subject vs. functional: Should subject librarians be replaced by functional specialists in academic libraries? Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 50(4), 345-360. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000616653647 (Original work published 2018)

Oakleaf, M. (2013). Building the assessment librarian guildhall: Criteria and skills for quality assessment. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 39(2), 126-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2013.02.004

Office of Postsecondary Education. (2025, January). Federal Trio Programs. U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ope/trio

Raju, R., Claassen, J., Adam, A., DAngelo, A., Keraan, S., Mostert, N., & Vonk, S. (2018). Restructuring for relevance: A paradigm shift for academic libraries. Library Management, 39(6-7), 418-429. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-06-2017-0062

Rocquemore, K. A. (2010, September 26) Just Say No. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2010/09/27/just-say-no

Simms, S., & Paschke-Wood, J. (2022). Academic librarians and student success: Examining changing librarian roles and attitudes. Journal of Library Administration, 62(8), 1017-1044. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2022.2127585

Willenborg, A., & Detmering, R. (2024). Student Success as a Value Proposition in ARL Libraries’ Strategic Plans. Journal of Library Administration, 64(8), 957–972. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2024.2403751

Wilkinson, Z. (2013). Rock around the (tenure) clock: Research strategies for new academic librarians. New Library World, 114(1/2), 54-66. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074801311291965

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