In Celebration of University Faculty: The Promotion and Tenure Recognition Event

Abstract

This article describes one university library's event to recognize promotion and tenure of its faculty.

Book Stories: 20 Years of Library Book Plate Celebrations

“…Along with a decrease in career stories, this suggests that personal meaning is becoming more acknowledged in academic contexts. Book stories celebrate faculty achievements and commemorate them for the future, pushing back against the tendency for "milestones in the lives and careers of faculty" to receive "little celebratory notice" (Fischer, Conger, and Bazirjian 2007). Making achievements of all faculty more visible is particularly important in an institutional context where there are still many improvements to be made in equity, particularly in the promotion and tenure of BIPOC faculty (Gutiérrez Y Muhs et al 2012).…”

“…Faculty promotion programs at other universities also typically solicit "a brief paragraph as to why they (faculty member) selected that particular book" (Riddle et al 2005). These statements are "meant to provide a personal glimpse into the faculty member and to inspire students and others in their scholarly pursuits" (Fischer, Conger, and Bazirjian 2007). One librarian noted that "faculty did not always select books from their specific research or teaching focus or even their general subject area.…”