Academic

A 1964 survey of 60 private liberal arts colleges (49 responding) showed that 13 institutions gave sabbatical leave to all librarians; 8 gave it to the head librarian only; 2 gave it to the head librarian, assistant librarian, and department head; and 26 had no definite policy or did not answer the question. Where sabbaticals are granted, the most usual pattern is full pay for 1 semester or half pay for 2 semesters.         (Source)

 A 1967 survey of 4-year state colleges and universities (sample size: 321; responding: 200 or 62.3%; usable: 183 or 57%) showed that faculty and librarians were most likely to be treated alike with regard to fringe benefits (89.6% institutions), tenure criteria (77.6% institutions), sabbatical leave (74.3% institutions), participation in faculty government (71.0% institutions), and use of academic titles (65.0% institutions). They were least likely to be treated alike in rate of pay (29.0% institutions), academic vacations. (33.9% institutions), and promotion policies (49.7% institutions).            (Source)

 A survey reported in 1968 of all ARL directors plus all other state university library directors concerning the degree to which librarians participate in traditional  faculty activities (72 responding) showed that 2/3 of respondents reported that librarians are given time from their schedules to teach, and 89% of respondents reported that librarians teach courses in their institutions. Further, librarians were reported as teaching library science and bibliography only slightly more than subjects outside of the library field.            (Source)

         Ibid. . . . showed that 76% of respondents reported allowing time for research, and 83% provided some sort of financial assistance. About 60% reported that the research need not be related to library operations or problems.           (Source)

         Ibid. . . . showed that 86% of respondents reported giving time off for free consulting, while 74% would give the time when the consultant was paid. For surveys, 83% of respondents reported giving time off for free surveys, while 72% would give the time when the surveyor was paid.        (Source)   

         Ibid. . . . showed that all respondents reported giving time for professional activities, and 99% said they pay [some] expenses. 78% of respondents said they paid some expenses to national meetings for staff not on programs or committees.         (Source)

         Ibid. . . . showed that respondents from 43% of the institutions reported that librarians have been given leave for study or foreign assignments within the last 3 years.          (Source)

         Ibid. . . . showed that, for participation in nonhibrary professional work, time off is given by 85% of the institutions, but expenses are paid “probably to a very limited extent” by only 47%.          (Source)

        Ibid. . . . showed that, for participation in nonprofessional local activities, 39% of respondents reported that they neither gave time nor any expenses. In terms of time alone, 59% of respondents give it, while 39% do not.           (Source)

 A survey reported in 1976 of the libraries in the largest private and largest public college/university in each state of the continental U.S. (sample size: 100 [sic]; responding: 79 or 79%), showed that 82% of the responding libraries have established procedures for [requesting permission to] attend professional meetings. “Over 90%” of the respondents make both time and money available for such attendance, although 79% of respondents require that the meetings be work-related.         (Source)

     Ibid. . . . showed that 59% of the respondents had formal procedures for [requesting attendance] at professional workshops, although 80% provide time and money. 84% of the respondents indicated that these workshops must be work-related.           (Source)

         Ibid. . . . showed that less than 50% of the respondents reported providing time and funding for independent research on the part of [professional] library staff.        (Source)

        Ibid. . . . showed that 75% of the respondents reported money was available for [professional] library staff to take formal classes (the number of classes that may be taken is limited), but only 50% allow release time for this activity (and the classes must be work-related), and only 16% “encourage” attendance at institutions other than their own.         (Source)

 Ibid. . . . showed that 39% of the respondents report availability of in-service training, while only 27 respondents (36%) provide supervisory training for [professional] staff members.          (Source)

 A survey of academic libraries reported in 1970 (sample size: 120; responding: 65) concerning fringe benefits in academic libraries showed that professionals were given 10-15 days sick leave in 38% of responding libraries; 1 month in 19%; 60-90 days in 2%; as needed in 23%; and there was no policy in 17%. 62% of responding libraries cumulate sick leave.           (Source)

        Ibid. . . . showed that professionals were given paid vacation in the amount of 2 weeks in 10% of responding institutions; 3 weeks in 6%; 1 month in 65%; and 5 weeks in 19%.       (Source)

        Ibid. . . . showed that professionals were granted time off for funerals for relatives in the following amounts: 1-4 days in 34% of responding institutions; week plus in 4%; as needed in 10%; and no policy in 51%. Time off for friends’ funerals was 1 hour to 1/2 day in 12% of responding institutions; 1-4 days in 8% of cases; as needed in 6% of cases; and no policy in 73% of cases.         (Source)

         Ibid. . . . showed that time allotted for jury duty and voting was the same for both professional and nonprofessional staff in responding libraries with “as needed” or “no policy” reported by 95% and 90% of responding institutions, respectively.       (Source)

 The annual survey of law school libraries and librarians conducted in 1980 by the American Bar Association, American Association of Law Libraries, and Association of American Law Schools (population not given; response: 168 libraries) showed that the median dollar amount of fringe benefits received by U.S. head law school librarians was overall $6,160, while by size of library it was as follows:

                 small (under 70,000 vols.)                            $7,789

                medium (70,000-99,999 vols.)                      $5,054

                medium-large (100,000-199,999 vols.)         $6.030

                large (200,000+ vols.)                                   $7,623        (Source)

         Ibid. . . . showed that the median dollar amount of fringe benefits received by full-time professional law school librarians in the U.S. (excluding head law school librarians) was overall $2,850, while by size of library it was as follows:

                small (under 70,000 vols.)                          $1,880          

                medium (70,000-99,999 vols.)                   $2,447

                medium-large (100,000-199,999 vols.)      $2,805

                large (200,000+ vols.)                                $3,263        (Source)

 A survey reported in 1980 of Association of Research Libraries directors in academic libraries (population: 94; responding: 68 or 72%) concerning publication requirements for professional library staff showed that 7 (10%) institutions allowed specific release time for working on publications; 28 (41%) allow librarians to apply for release time for publication; and 33 (49%) do not allow release time for work on publications.         (Source)

         Ibid. . . . showed that (multiple responses allowed) 18 (23%) institutions provide funding for research within the library; 40 (51%) reported research funding is available from the university; and 20 (26%) reported that research funding is not available.           (Source)

 A 1980 survey of academic librarians in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi concerning faculty status (sample size: 416; responding: 271; usable: 267 or 64.2%) showed that 12.0% of the respondents received release time for proposal development, while 14.2% received release time for research and publication.        (Source)

 A survey reported in 1981 of library directors in 4-year colleges and universities in 7 Rocky Mountain states (survey size: 76; responding: 64 or 84%) concerning faculty status of librarians showed that, although sabbatical leaves were reported possible for librarians in 33 (83%) institutions, research leaves were only available in 32 (80%) institutions, and research funds were only available in 28 (70%) institutions.     (Source)

 A survey reported in 1983 of the U.S. academic members of the Association of Research Libraries concerning faculty status for professionals (population: 89 libraries; responding: 89 or 100%, including 57 state and 32 private institutions) showed that the benefits and privileges given librarians in state institutions versus private institutions were as follows:

                  faculty rank                                          20 (35.1%)  state;  1    (3.1%)    private

                  indefinite tenure                                    34 (59.6%)  state;  4    (12.5%)  private

                  research funds                                      51 (89.5%)  state;  13  (40.6%)  private

                  travel funds                                           all   libraries

                  research leave                                      47 (82.5%)  state;  25  (78.1%)  private

        sabbatical leave                                    35 (61.4%)  state;  10  (31.3%)  private

                  tuition break                                         41 (71.9%)  state;  28  (87.5%)  private

                  option of 9-month appointment             15 (26.3%)  state;    7  (21.9%)  private            (Source)

Special

A 1973 survey of all county law libraries listed in the 1972 American Association of Law Libraries Directory of Law Libraries (population: 260; responding: 86 or 33.1%) showed that, of 64 librarian respondents, 58 (91%) reported that time off was given for professional activities.  (Source)

A 1980 survey of the private law library and corporate law library membership of the American Association of Law Libraries, excluding part-time librarians (population: 585; responding: 382; usable: 360 or 61%), showed that librarians received the following benefits:

                 95% of the private/governmental respondents and 92% of the corporate respondents reported that 100% of AALL dues were paid by employer;  

                89% of the private/governmental respondents and 95% of the corporate respondents reported receiving health insurance for self, while 52% of the private/governmental respondents and 75% of the corporate respondents reported receiving health insurance for the family;

                 67% of the private/governmental respondents and 92% of the corporate respondents reported employer-supported pension plan, while 78% of the private/governmental and 100% of the corporate respondents reported employer-supported life insurance plans;

                 46% of the private/governmental respondents and 45% of the corporate respondents reported employer-supported business cards.   (Source)

 The annual survey of law school libraries and librarians conducted in 1980 by the American Bar Association, American Association of Law Libraries, and Association of American Law Schools (population not given; response: 168 libraries) showed that the median dollar amount of fringe benefits received by U.S. head law school librarians was overall $6,160, while by size of library it was as follows:

                 small (under 70,000 vols.)                            $7,789

                medium (70,000-99,999 vols.)                      $5,054

                medium-large (100,000-199,999 vols.)         $6,030

                large (200,000+ vols.)                                   $7,623            (Source)

         Ibid. . . . showed that the median dollar amount of fringe benefits received by full-time professional law school librarians in the U.S. (excluding head law school librarians) was overall $2,850, while by size of library it was as follows:

                small (under 70,000 vols)                            $1,880

                medium    (70,000 - 99,999 vols)                $2,447

                medium-large (100,000-199,999 vols.)       $2,805

                large (200,000+ vols.)                                $3,263             (Source)

Dr. David Kohl

 "Libraries in the digital age are experiencing the most profound transformation since ancient Mesopotamian scribes first began gathering and organizing cuneiform tablets."

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