HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF LAUC
The Librarians Association of the University of California (LAUC), founded in 1967, is a statewide organization of all librarians employed at least half time by the University. Membership is automatic and entails no dues. In 1971, the Association was authorized to use the name of the University, and in 1975 LAUC was formally recognized as an official unit of the University. The formal objectives of LAUC are: to advise the University on professional and governance matters, to make recommendations concerning the UC librarians’ rights, privileges and obligations, and to promote full use of UC librarians’ professional abilities.
ORGANIZATION
The LAUC statewide organization is composed of an Executive Board, including the President, Vice-President/President-Elect, Secretary, immediate Past President, and the chairs of the ten campus divisions. The Executive Board meets monthly. Larger assemblies, to which each division sends delegates in proportion to the size of its membership, are held annually. The assembly hears reports from guest speakers, the President and the chairs of committees, discusses current issues, and debates and votes on resolutions and recommendations as needed. At the divisional level the LAUC-R organization is coordinated by an Executive Board, including the Chair, Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, Secretary, Delegate, Alternate Delegate, and immediate Past Chair.
IMPROVING UC LIBRARIES
Perhaps LAUC’s most important function is the advice it provides to the system-wide, campus and library administrations on the best course for the University’s libraries. LAUC has provided leadership in such crucial areas as: cooperative collection development and resource sharing during a period of retrenchment; the impact of new information technologies on libraries; enhanced bibliographic access to diverse collections and service to diverse users.
COMMITTEES
LAUC has three standing committees, each with representatives from all ten campus divisions: the Committee on Professional Governance, which oversees the bylaws of the Association as well as issues related to peer review; the Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and the Research and Professional Development Committee. The LAUC President acts as a consultant to the Academic Senate’s University Committee on Library and Scholarly Communication (UCOLASC). Representatives from LAUC serve on the following systemwide committees: Direction and Oversight Committee (DOC), Shared Content Leadership Group (SCLG), Shared Library Facilities Board (SLFB), Systemwide Library and Scholarly Information Advisory Committee (SLASIAC).
RESEARCH
LAUC annually administers a research program with funding as stipulated in the University Council-American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT) and the University of California Memorandum of Understanding. Additional information about the program, past projects that have received a grant, and the current application process may be found on the LAUC Research and Professional Development Committee’s website.
ACADEMIC STATUS
Librarians are academic appointees at the University of California. Academic status is the sum of the privileges, rights, and responsibilities accorded to librarians as professional employees whose work is closely related to the teaching and research functions of the University. Academic status includes but is not limited to: the freedom to perform a range of functions within the profession, a choice of avenues for professional development, performance evaluation based on activities relevant to the profession, review by one’s peers, and job security as stated in University policies and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). As academic appointees, librarians are also granted academic freedom as per the UC Academic Personnel Manual Section 011 (APM-011).
PEER REVIEW
All LAUC members participate in a peer review process. In the fall, the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor issues the Academic Personnel Review Procedures for the Librarian Series (The CALL) for merit increase or promotion. The review initiator (supervisor) evaluates the job performance of each librarian. It is the responsibility of each librarian to keep a record of all professional activities to include in the review records.
Each year LAUC-R elects a committee for peer review, the Committee on Appointment, Promotion, and Advancement – Librarians (CAPA-L). CAPA-L reviews the documentation, and agrees or disagrees with the recommendation. Its report is forwarded to Library Human Resources and then to the University Librarian. In cases of substantial differences between the University Librarian and the recommendations, the file is sent to the Vice Provost for Academic Personnel for review. After making the final decision, the Vice Provost informs the University Librarian of the action. The University Librarian notifies the librarian under review of the final decision.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED IN LAUC
All members are encouraged to attend LAUC-R general membership meetings. Agendas and minutes of the previous meeting and documents to be discussed are distributed to members in advance of each meeting. Additional membership meetings may be called by the Chair as important issues arise that require discussion by all LAUC-R members. Members may also attend the LAUC Statewide Assemblies. LAUC members can become more involved in local and statewide activities by volunteering for committee assignments and running for office. Members make known their interest by filling out the LAUC-R committee interest form that is distributed in the summer of each year.