40th #critlib chat: tenure track and social justice work

NYC's dominance of #critlib continues! Tonight's mod's are @lalaleefull and @AprilHathcock. Tune in at 9 EDT/7 MDT  http://critlib.org/twitter-chats/upcoming-twitter-chats/ …

Pls join us for #critlib on soc justice work/job security tonite. ALL WELCOME. Even if u didn't do reading or don't work in acad lib.

@elotroalex just follow and tweet the hashtag #critlib starting at 9pm. We'll toss out Qs every few mins or so to get convo going. :D

T-1hr to #critlib! Grab some food. Watch 1 more ep on Netflix. Start nudging ur sweet little beasties toward bedtime (good luck w/that).

Rushing home from the @mnylc happy hour so I can catch tonight's #critlib. Am I doing this right? #librarianing

Sorry to miss a super important #critlib tonight especially given all the happenings right here in my own backyard-->  http://jberdahl.blogspot.ca/2015/08/academic-freedom-and-ubc.html …

#critlib readings here  http://tinyurl.com/critlibx  All welcome as @AprilHathcock said! We don't want to exclude anyone. not just about tenure!

 http://qub.me/vc6Waj  the last paragraph is chiling, thanks for sharing @BaharakY #critlib

via @BaharakY and very related to tonight's chat  http://qub.me/PJnwWI  #critlib

After today felt particularly like neoliberalism-in-action day, cannot wait for #critlib chat in 20min!

 http://qub.me/0DPhzj  Koritha Mercer's @ProfKori piece we read for tonight's chat #critlib

Hi all welcome to chat 40 about social justice and tenure track/job security #critlib

Yahoo! Let's get ready to #critlib!!!! Toss out some intros before @lalaleefull kicks off our first Q! I'm April, co-mod from NYC!

Hi all! I'm Lee Ann from Brooklyn College, entering second year of a tenure track ref/instruction position #critlib

Hey #critlib! Academic librarian (in a non-tenure track position) from Pgh, PA

Hi #critlib! Kevin here. Non-TT faculty member and academic infolit person in Denver.

Hi #critlib, I'm Ian, academic librarian (non-TT!) in NYC; here tonight, toddler-permitting

Hello #critlib. Nora here, academic librarian from Brooklyn.

Andrew, from #nyu here! Hello all! #critlib

I'm Jennifer. Tenured librarian at New York University. Currently on vacation at the Jersey shore (i.e., "down the shore) #critlib

kyle. indianner. recent unemployed librarian (I mean graduate). interviewing for two positions, one TT, one NTT #critlib

Hi #critlib! Archivist dialing in from Ohio. I am rounding out year 2 of my tenure-track position. I'm also union.

Hi #critlib I'm an academic librarian in Brooklyn, care about social justice, got tenure in May.

Joanna, UMBC, typing with left hand slowly, right hand soothing baby, #critkidsupdate #critlib

may have to mute #critlib. Do not enjoy tenure discussions.

Hey #critlib! I'm Amanda, a NTT research and instruction librarian, but very interested in this conversation.

Hi #critlib. Instruction librarian here, submitting my binder for tenure this fall.

Hi. Brian here. Academic Librarian entering 4th year in a tenure track IT position in Chattanooga. #critlib

Oh yeah. I'm currently non-TT but being switched to a tenure line in the next year or so. #critlib

Hi! I'm Sveta, a newbie humanities librarian in Hawaii & psyched that this is the first #critlib chat I've been able to make in a while.

Hi! librarian doing instruction/outreach at Kansas State - just starting my first year as tenure track! #critlib

Hi, #critlib, my office is right next to this guy's | | \/  https://twitter.com/ibeilin/status/636342651516796930 …

Hi #critlib, just finished first year in TT position in SoCal

it has been a while for me, I suppose. 4 or 5 chats? yeesus. #critlib

Hi #critlib! PT academic librarian here in NYC. Precarious, not TT

@AprilHathcock and I are new to the moderating thing, so please bear with us :) #critlib

I am on a TT position and don't have any kids #critlib

Hi #critlib, I'm TT-librarian, actually up for tenure right now, will find out in May. Research&Learning Librarian + Instruction Coordinator

Will send out the first Q in a minute #critlib

Hi #critlib, I'm a tenure track (TT) academic librarian. A+ topic tonight!

Carolyn from VA; heading into yr 5 of TT #critlib

oh, and I'm in literally week #2 of a TT faculty position. #critlib

Hey there, #critlib! Instructiony librarian in Seattle-ish area. TT, sorta (not fac, but similar process). Mostly lurking, because DINNER.

OK here comes Q1 Is tenure/guaranteed contract necessary for effective critical/social justice work? Why or why not? #critlib

Hi #critlib! Just finished running two library orientation scavenger hunt activities, excited for this chat tho!

a1: no #critlib

@edrabinski you bet. Future #critlib chat?

I'm an academic instruction librarian, associate professor and newly tenured (!!!) as of yesterday (!!!!!) #critlib v. relevant 4me tonight.

Sending good vibes to @pumpedlibrarian and @LibrarianAngie! #critlib #tenuretime

@oksveta I'm with you. Been in a TT position for a few months. #critlib

Hi #critlib, I'm Maura from an academic library in Brooklyn, running late tonight.

A1 can make it feel safer, but not necessary. Depending on the work, it could count as service toward getting tenure #critlib

Hi #critlib! Long time lurker, first time introducer (still lurking tho) 2nd yr student & records/reference for Seattle municipal gov.

Tonight's #critlib will be interesting as a NTT, staff librarian in Wisconsin.

Congrats to all of our newly tenured/promoted colleagues and to our colleagues with new jobs :) #critlib

@donnarosemary congratulations! Great news!! #critlib

I'm a TT library school faculty member who is late to #critlib!

I'm ex-TT and I've yet to feel the difference; except, less pressure :) #critlib

@donnarosemary yay you! Congrats!!!! #critlib

Hi #critlib! Academic librarian in NC. Faculty status, no tenure at our library.

A1 No- IMO the best SJ work happens outside of institutions. By definition there's less bureaucracy/hindrance. #critlib

a1.1 employment precarity is no longer mutually exclusive from tenure. i think this question misses a lot. #critlib

A1: hard to say. I've always been outspoken (for better or for worse) so getting tenure didn't make me feel safer #critlib

A1 I guess I wonder about the wording of this question. Tenure-tenure, promise of tenure, or enviro that values academic freedom? #critlib

Does any1 else ever get frustrated that so much of this vital work only counts toward "service"? #critlib  https://twitter.com/LibrarianAngie/status/636343955488174080 …

(some of my @PrattSILS Literacy and Instruction students may be lurking tonight; they will be joining later in the term!) #critlib

@kshockey04 yes for one thing so much spends on the institution #critlib

A1 depends on the institution/climate #critlib

@AprilHathcock +1 YES #critlib

Ahhhh the #critlib love is overwhelming me y'all. 💜 ready to dive in and figure out together what all this MEANS on the ground tho.

@ibeilin I'm ex-TT and miss the prof title. #ego #critlib

A1 we could argue that tenure track demands hinder the pursuit of social justice, so no #critlib

A1 Librarians' marginal position within academe is also important here. Less scrutiny, tenure or not, can mean room for resistance #critlib

A1 I don't think tenure is necessary. For me an accidental thing, this is the job I got. Did the same stuff as at-will staff lib. #critlib

Absolutely! (and sometimes not even that) #critlib  https://twitter.com/AprilHathcock/status/636344404945580032 …

@AprilHathcock Most of my work is done while teaching my semester-long credit class, but not everyone has that! #critlib

@ibeilin Hi Beilin-toddler! #critlib #critparenting

@eiratansey which do you think is most impt/helpful? or essential? #critlib

A1.1: I get the feeling that a good deal of such work occurs minus the comfort of academic protection. So I'd hazard not necessary. #critlib

A1 probably helps, but a lot of (most?) social justice work is done from precarious positions/tenure does not guarantee action #critlib

A1 Also wonder if "But, tenure track..." Is excuse to not do some things that matter sometimes. #critlib

A1:Permanent status & promotion, not quite TT. Unlocking status made me feel more secure to get loud. But not totally necessary #critlib

A1 tenure does affect culture of speaking up or not #critlib

@EamonTewell great point. TT scrutiny can feel like a panopticon. #critlib

Meaning we've bought into it? “@rawdeal85: A1 we could argue that tenure track demands hinder the pursuit of social justice, so no #critlib”

@AprilHathcock a collective bargaining agreement that articulates academic freedom is the most essential ;) #critlib

Related Q1.2 Does TT lend itself to creating certain types of change and NTT to others? #critlib

RT @eiratansey @AprilHathcock a collective bargaining agreement that articulates academic freedom is the most essential ;) #critlib

@jvinopal @AprilHathcock My dept actually wrote social justice into our strategic plan (thanks to @JessicaCritten!) #critlib

And frustrated by how little "service" counts? #critlib  https://twitter.com/aprilhathcock/status/636344404945580032 …

A1.2: I also suspect the sort of person compelled to act pursues it in spite of fear or recourse. #critlib

A1 not necessarily...I think a lot just depends on institutional culture as well #critlib

@edrabinski YES. Applies all over the profession, I think. #critlib

RT @AprilHathcock Related Q1.2 Does TT lend itself to creating certain types of change and NTT to others? #critlib

I am (union) too. Does make a difference I think. #critlib  https://twitter.com/edrabinski/status/636343487231823872 …

Q1. In my experience, climate makes the difference NOT TT or NTT #critlib

@LibrarianAngie @jvinopal @AprilHathcock @JessicaCritten wow! that is very inspiring! #critlib

. @ginaschless I wrote about this a few years ago #critlib  http://noclexington.com/?p=4027 

@lalaleefull @AprilHathcock gonna bump @donnarosemary & @edrabinski - unions can be (usually are) stronger than tenure #critlib

A1.1: Live in a democracy of my own mind, always felt free, making me a very useless model | A1.2 see A1.1 #critlib

@edrabinski I think we're super lucky in that our library very heavily values service in our RPT criteria #critlib

@LibrarianAngie @jvinopal @AprilHathcock @JessicaCritten Your library is so cool. #critlib

Also think tenure diff for libs in terms of stakes. Don't have to leave the field like I've seen teaching faculty have to do. #critlib

A1: Climate is important--organizational culture gives authority #critlib

@edrabinski I'm on the current RPT criteria revision cmte and it's fascinating #critlib

A1 TT does help also foster culture to act on bigger university issues as faculty peers #critlib

Q1.2 In some ways, I feel my current NTT position can give me more freedom. Not compelled to tick boxes for tenure process. #critlib

@kshockey04 @AprilHathcock @donnarosemary @edrabinski CUNY institutions have both tenure/union, but no contract right now #critlib

@kshockey04 @lalaleefull @AprilHathcock @donnarosemary The union is the reason librarians have tenure at my uni. #critlib

@edrabinski yep. pretty sure same here, or plays a big role. #critlib @kshockey04 @lalaleefull @AprilHathcock

a1.2.1 tenure isn't collective barganing. it's exactly the opposite. tenure is personal precarity at the hands of lower workers #critlib

A1: As NTT staff I've never felt comfortable pushing boundaries with admin, but I do what I can to work SJ into extracurriculars #critlib

@lalaleefull neither do we! weee! a few days into post-contract extended negotiations, oy! #critlib @kshockey04 @AprilHathcock @edrabinski

A1.2: no meaningful ans possible; institutional envir much more impt. #critlib

I work social justice examples into my teaching and libguides. It's a conversation starter. #critlib

@kshockey04 I don't quite understand. What do you mean by "lower workers"? #critlib

"promise of tenure"rarely parsed out,but so significant:my probationary 6yrs v diff frm approach moving fwd #critlib  https://twitter.com/eiratansey/status/636344345583616000 …

#critlib  https://twitter.com/wpwvcacrl/status/636346388310159360 …

A2.1 if critical scholarship is part of how you work towards SJ then TT is helpful, since scholarship is part of what u r paid for #critlib

@jessicahochman @kshockey04 also not clear on what is meant here #critlib

Going to toss out Q2 in a moment #critlib

@jessicahochman @pumpedlibrarian TT position is necessarily scarce. junior professors, NTT librarians, paraprofessionals support #critlib

@jessicahochman @pumpedlibrarian these positions with no hope of employment security themselves. #critlib

I felt that I needed to make it clear that soc just part of my work during interview, even tho position was TT #critlib

Q2. If you actively sought/seek a TT job, what attracted you to the position? If you avoid applying for these jobs, why? #critlib

A1 I'm in interesting personal space where I discovered/made explicit #critlib/SJ aspects of my wrk as I was transitioning frm TT to tenured

@eiratansey Yes, in a few ways: MOST significant rn is making claims on my time I didn't before, doing things I value w/ it. #critlib

I guess this where institution diffs come into play. Is crit scholarship as valued? Or is it supplement? #critlib  https://twitter.com/oksveta/status/636346905589452800 …

@lalaleefull Biggest thing for me is space & time for research / writing. Not baked in to academic libs beyond TT in many cases #critlib

@oksveta yes, agree v much, depends on how individual chooses to implement / work toward SJ to determine if TT helps or hinders #critlib

A2 for me TT is essential. It says a lot about how the institution values librarians as teachers #critlib

A2: I sought TT bc perceived financial security. I'm breadwinner 4 my family #critlib

@kshockey04 @pumpedlibrarian ah, I get it. It's different for faculty at my inst. Only other TT faculty are on our committees. #critlib

@eiratansey Also "trying on for size" elements of speaking more freely--I remind myself I am more 'equal' to others in rm now #critlib

A2: Honestly, I was looking for any job in librarianship. That I'm TT was unexpected. I'm of mixed mind about it. #critlib

RT @rawdeal85 A2 for me TT is essential. It says a lot about how the institution values librarians as teachers #critlib

Agree w several abt importance of institutional culture. That determines so much of what we can do. #critlib

A2 I'm fairly new to academia. Came from corp world where u can be fired any day for any reason. Tenure still feels weird to me. #critlib

A2- Was in TT job, moved to NTT. Would have preferred TT, but it's a cool lib w/ lots of opportunities. Couldn't pass it up. #critlib

@eiratansey Want to grow more into that though as time goes on (the speaking more freely part). I'm naturally non-confrontational:) #critlib

Same here. Also seems to affect relationships w/ other faculty #critlib  https://twitter.com/rawdeal85/status/636347570411974657 …

Q2 I haven't "avoided" applying for TT jobs, but am def insecure about publishing/doing "journal worthy" LIS research *blush* #critlib

#critlib fail: I've been typing the wrong hash :/

Q2 I have not made an effort towards TT over NTT or vice versa, but I do consider climate. #critlib

Late to #critlib because of #critdukbokki. I'm Kelly, TT in OR.

@AprilHathcock Great point. Sometimes, NTT can mean all writing is on ur own time although some places support it as prof dev too #critlib

A2 I sought a TT job bc it gives me the time and resources to pursue (sometimes #critlib oriented) research that other jobs don't

@edrabinski esp. in terms of dictating what kinds of scholarship / social action you can pursue #critlib

I am the lbn for Health & Nutrition, so health disparities, race, social justice, are all important topics for me and teaching fac #critlib

A2 sought out TT, feel status helps work w/ faculty, & service/scholarship is important and want to have it included in position #critlib

Q2 I think org climate (or microclimate) can make all the difference, perhaps more so than TT v NTT #critlib

#critlib  https://twitter.com/jvinopal/status/636347119364894720 …

perfectly summed up what I was going to say. Specifically sought out TT positions in this last job search! #critlib  https://twitter.com/rawdeal85/status/636347570411974657 …

Yes--what "counts" really varies. #critlib  https://twitter.com/nora_almeida/status/636348264137261057 …

A2 similar to @nora_almeida and @ginaschless -- I wanted a TT position for the research expectations & job security. #critlib

#critlib  https://twitter.com/jvinopal/status/636344494162583552 …

A2 institutional culture def plays into it, too. I love that critical pedagogy & soc justice work valued here #critlib

Yes! & the great points others have made about unions. Imagining an ideal #critlib library w/all 3 of these.  https://twitter.com/edrabinski/status/636347759818223617 …

A2 TT means support for, as @edrabinski put it so well in her blog post, the professional joy of meaning-making through writing #critlib

@nora_almeida @lalaleefull what does that look like at your institution? just ability to set your schedule, or actual support? #critlib

A2 Wanted job for the work. Didn't think much abt TT the time. Briefly considered avoiding acad libs due to these pressures tho. #critlib

Again late to #critlib, so a belated intro: Charlotte, NTT academic librarian

Hey #critlib, late because of reasons. I'm Ryan, freshly minted MLS holder from @iuils.

Q2 is interesting because I am interviewing for one of each. #critlib

BlackbirdNation librarians like me @EamonTewell & @kate_angell are very well supported for scholarship, get lots of time. #critlib

And also hierarchical structure (or lack thereof)of lib org often means R&T have nothing to do w/ job roles #critlib  https://twitter.com/edrabinski/status/636345853737869312 …

I also think TT fosters the intellectual climate I want to be in, but good communities exist in non TT places too A2 #soblessed #critlib

Q2: TT was not something I have either looked for or avoided. Institutional culture has been more important. #critlib

A2- Also in interview for NTT job, pushed to ensure org shared my beliefs. In job talk I said "lib'ship has a whiteness problem" #critlib

Important to say that, that tenure gives us space enough to think & write, and that has been amazing. That's what I want to do! #critlib

This does make TT positions intimidating, but I am starting to see the benefits of having time to research #critlib  https://twitter.com/beastlibrarian/status/636347919478583297 …

A2: now, being TT at a place where there is support, I can see the benefits #critlib

Which means, though I have tenure, still vulnerable in terms of professional goals re: wanting to move in new roles w/in org #critlib

There's also a #critlib tweetchat going on. On "tenure track and social justice work":  http://critlib.org/tenure-track-and-social-justice-work/ …

@lalaleefull @nora_almeida nice. do you have pre-tenure research leave? wish we had that here -- only available for tenured #critlib

A2: Applied for both. NTT position b/c of availability. Culture on campus hasn't made a difference between TT and NTT #critlib

When I was NTT, it was one of many possible paths to promotion. #critlib  https://twitter.com/aprilhathcock/status/636348373679796224 …

@AprilHathcock @jvinopal kudos for rescuing these tweets!!! #critlib

In a TT environ, what can/should tenured librarians do to better support non-tenured? #critlib

A2 I’m attracted to TT bc TT materially expresses institution’s committment to & expectations of role. But culture also important! #critlib

@kevinseeber i used a similar strategy in an interview too. it quickly became evident it wasn't place 4 me. didn't get offer either #critlib

@edrabinski here here! #critlib

@eiratansey @nora_almeida Yes, we get two full semesters over first 5 years. Union job, TT, so very, very lucky in that sense. #critlib

We also publish and present a lot, critical to note *material* support we get. TT matters for those sorts of resource claims. #critlib

A2 like @edrabinski I stumbled into tenure-land--was entry-level job I got! had *no idea* there was TT/NTT diff in aclib land #critlib

@edrabinski 100% this for me too #critlib

A2 At one point, I was looking at 2 jobs, one TT with a union, the other NTT. The NTT job had more excited & passionate colleague #critlib

@ginaschless I got the offer! Which is part of why leaving my tt job felt better. #critlib #iworktherenow #auraria

Hi #critlib - sneaking in late. Academic librarian, staff, non-union, massachusetts.

A2 I feel conflicted abt TT. I've felt it can be exclusionary, & can punish librarians who are good/devoted but just don't publish #critlib

A2 Big draws for me in this job: TT, union, & org structure theoretically allows for lots of autonomy. We'll see if so in practice. #critlib

@jvinopal - our lib does mentors. the TT committee is also incredibly useful at providing annual feedback. & informal lunches. #critlib

@donnarosemary @edrabinski was in NTT aclib job before current TT gig. Diff in terms of 'status' important for critical autonomy. #critlib

And Q2 is very interesting. I avoid TT jobs because the 2 I was in were so god-awful stifling I couldn’t breathe. #critlib

There is a down side to tenure: 'dead wood' - don't like the term but they do exist #critlib

A2 & my job really IS different from faculty. I want it to be that way! So I don't think TT really fits what's best for me as a lib #critlib

@AprilHathcock @jvinopal They need to have your back, be supportive, guide you thru committee work/politics campus wide #critlib

@kevinseeber @ginaschless I 😍 #critlib stories with happy endings!

A2 What's hysterical in retospect:job ad incl need4scholarship 4 tenure& I brought MLIS grad papers to interview as 'proof' I could #critlib

And 'dead wood' can hinder critical work of others in some cases; they have power #critlib

@jvinopal - i feel we've got a better, more transparent set-up in some respects than traditional academic departments. #critlib

Tho I am not currently TT, it is something I'd like to eventually seek so I try to work on professional projects that aren't req'd #critlib

@PoorCharlotte i think this really depends on your P&T criteria -- MPOW heavily values service #critlib

@kellymce for sure! TT can mean the exact opposite too, lots of personal stress involved in tenure processes #critlib

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 (at least, for me, one did not meaningful signify ability to do other, had to learn other on fly) #critlib  https://twitter.com/donnarosemary/status/636349989447446528 …

Late, mostly lurking, but hi #critlib! TT librarian at a university library here.

I think TT can help encourage librarians to give back, but idk if it's the best way. does it lead non-lib fac to give more respect?#critlib

@eiratansey Yes, get research leave and lots of support from my dept re: scholarship @lalaleefull #CUNY #critlib

seeing other TT folks get lots financial support & time 4 research. I get some, but do 90% of my research on wkends, after 40 hr wk #critlib

A2.a I'm struck by ppl who feel tenure improvs cred w/other fac. I think non-libns who would look down, do so anyway. #critlib

@ibeilin NTT can have this too -- there are other promotion structures that make it easy for ppl to stick around #critlib

@beastlibrarian oh you totes have ability to learn to do this, no question...how one thinks and processes is key IME #critlib

@ibeilin true, but dead wood is everywhere in higher ed. Which is why tenure may not last as colleges become more like corporations #critlib

even if I don't get either of these jobs, or if I don't get the TT one--it's nothing compared to trying to publish in grad school #critlib

I'm so behind in #critlib feed rn. Gonna skip back to "present/now" and catch up on Q2 answers later...

@ginaschless even with research leave, i still do most on my own time. It's kind of intense. #critlib

A2 This TT job I looked at required a lot of scholarship but gave no extra time for doing so, not like @edrabinski talked abt. #critlib

I'm looking forward to the 40 hr week? #critlib

Agree about non-lib fac. Been my biggest obstacle--I'm NTT but still considered faculty and def have to illustrate expertise #critlib

@CopyrightLibn i think it depends. At MPOW we are in same bargaining unit as disciplinary fac, so we're all in trenches 2gether #critlib

Totally this. I know there are places where library tenure process is seen as second-rate by other fac #critlib  https://twitter.com/copyrightlibn/status/636350481661452288 …

@ibeilin But maybe tenured folks can be aware/help counteract? W/tenure I'm trying to be more aware of where I can speak up/help. #critlib

A2 didn't seek TT at first, but have really come to appreciate being seen as a colleague by faculty. #critlib

@CopyrightLibn also we serve on faculty cmtes we simply wouldn't have access to w/o being in faculty union #critlib

#critlib  https://twitter.com/CopyrightLibn/status/636349272540102656 …

even tho libs are TT at my institution, many teaching faculty don't realize this. they're shocked we publish, research, etc #critlib

A2.b But also struck that non-libns who wd look down sometimes think my JD = PhD. Y'all know it's just 3 yrs of tests, right? #critlib

@rawdeal85 totally agree - another good point - tenure is being eroded daily, even when it appears to provide security #critlib

@CopyrightLibn #critlib Agree, structure doesn't confer automatic respect. I have tenure, some ppl still think I'm a copy machine. #critlib

TT/fac status=I can serve on campus committees, go to same prof dev events as teaching fac. I get a seat at table, leaves out staff.#critlib

@CopyrightLibn not necessarily. TT means research & that's more important to TT faculty than teaching. TT = chance of partnership #critlib

@mauraweb @ibeilin Without knowing specifics, ideally seems that tenure process aims to select those motivated to keep current #critlib

Hey #critlib. I'm Curator of Special Collections at @UofDenver, NTT faculty.

@ginaschless Yeah, my TT job involved going to conferences on my own $$$. #critlib

@rawdeal85 but I have to say, I haven't encountered any 'dead wood' in current place of work (among libs) (rose-colored glasses?) #critlib

@CopyrightLibn as LIS faculty w/degree from ed school, I (embarrassed!) had no idea librarians had tenure before I got this job. #critlib

Speaking of which, anyone willing to Storify tonight's chat? #critlib  https://twitter.com/donnarosemary/status/636350767763427328 …

A2.2 prob also the case that ability to expressly seek out TT/NTT position implies considerable privledge #critlib  https://twitter.com/kshockey04/status/636350688650354689 …

Same here #critlib  https://twitter.com/jkgadsby/status/636351239987425280 …

@lalaleefull @ginaschless Me too, but I think that's partly my own fault, like I could scale back my research but don't wanna. #critlib

@CopyrightLibn Yes agree. Faculty seem stunned when I tell them some staff @ mpow have tenure. No effect on respectful vs not #critlib

I will say, it was nice to get invited to all the faculty shindigs -- mingling as equals was good networking. #critlib

I get this. ALL. THE. TIME. #critlib  https://twitter.com/CopyrightLibn/status/636351146508947456 …

@ibeilin @mauraweb I always hopefully think "correlation ≠ causation" with tenure & stagnation. Might be years of underpaid labor. #critlib

@mauraweb @ginaschless I agree completely. I love doing it, just wish I had more time for downtime. It's exhausting but worth it. #critlib

@mauraweb yeah, usually they can be the decisive force to tip things in the right direction #critlib

@rawdeal85 @CopyrightLibn right -- but the point is, faculty status won't matter either way with them! #critlib

@ibeilin that's awesome. Mostly true for #torchville too, but there are some notable exceptions. But back to social justice... :) #critlib

@ibeilin @rawdeal85 My last job was a frickin petrified forest. Had to get outta there. #critlib

@EamonTewell @kellymce raises hand, waves it wildly. TT was exactly the wrong place for me to do my meaningful work. #critlib

@kellymce plus, better snacks. #critlib

A2 My last job was NTT but I was "admin. faculty" & got to vote/go to meetings/have a seat at the table, but no scholarship. #critlib

@mauraweb @lalaleefull @ginaschless ditto! overwhelmed at times but like what I'm doing #critlib

Yeah, faculty status may mean access to uni shared governance. Curious to hear about people's experiences. #critlib  https://twitter.com/jkgadsby/status/636351239987425280 …

What do these dynamics, cultures mean for social justice / critical orientation though? #critlib

Yep. Totally depends. I credit my union for the time I get, not the tenure model necessarily. #critlib  https://twitter.com/ginaschless/status/636350433817026561 …

@foureyedsoul @ibeilin It's a moving target too, as expectations change. #critlib

One problem I see in TT environ is that some staff doing v similar work are TT & some in admin positions. Weird inequality #critlib

@jkgadsby and free drinks, amirite? #critlib #nosuchthingasafreedrink

@edrabinski But I wonder, what comes/came first (for librarians, usually): the union or the fac status? Here, fac status=union card #critlib

@jvinopal YES. Sigh. #critlib

@edrabinski non-union here, but our dean values prof development. #critlib

We are often asked to take the minutes. #critlib  https://twitter.com/oksveta/status/636352125346312192 …

@mauraweb very true - at some places they are changing fast :) @foureyedsoul #critlib

Q3 in a minute #critlib

Q3. How does being considered for tenure/guaranteed contract help/hinder you in terms of crit/soc justice work in your institution? #critlib

@jvinopal - yup. just gotta make sure you fight for NTT staff rights, pay, autonomy & respect when & were possible. #critlib

Th work of librarian has changed so much in last 20 yrs that there's no single way to say *tt* position is def TT and *tt* is admin #critlib

I'm still newish as a lib (<10 yrs) but I sort of think union vs TT is more impt to protection/being able to do work for change #critlib

@LibrarianAngie @edrabinski and it is written into our PDs, which helps. #critlib

A2 we're NTT, not faculty, not staff, we have no seat in Staff Advisory Council, no voting seat in University Senate. #voiceless #Critlib

@edrabinski I've only gotten that once or twice, b/c of being the one taking notes on a laptop. #critlib

So this leads to arbitrary separation between TT and admins, diff benefits, diff expectations for promo. #critlib

@edrabinski so while the union card is the greater protection, it's not accessible to me unless librarians retain fac status #critlib

@PoorCharlotte Fascinating approach. Seat at table seems profoundly important, especially where large enough librar* overlooked. #critlib

@edrabinski Because "librarians are good at keeping records." #truestory #critlib

@edrabinski which is in turn actually distinct from access to tenure! ahhhh and the wheels of confusion spin on! #critlib #somanycategories

A3: it doesn't. other, much more benign forces than TT play a role. #critlib

I'm drifting a bit from the SJ focus of the convo. But if the fight for equality starts at home, that's one place to address it #critlib

A3 at prev. NTT job, NOT being TT hurt me when trying to publish/present. libs had no academic freedom, despite being "admin. fac" #critlib

I just have no idea how to address it from the middle of the organization. No one cares what I think abt admin positions. #critlib

A3 My dept has focus on academic freedom, which makes room for crit/sj work. But being teaching faculty makes room in different way #critlib

A3 In all honesty, and I know I speak from privilege here (trying to own): TT gave me space to engage theory&learn about #critlib/SJ things

Relevant to #critlib A1  https://twitter.com/librarianmer/status/494561689736458240 …

@PoorCharlotte That's so scary :( #critlib

A3 I feel like I have to do "traditional" scholarship in addition to crit work, "just in case." #critlib

A3: be. careful. and. brave. #critlib

At UMN, lib staff are represented in Uni governance if not-quite-TT, -and- if not on that line. #critlib

At UMN, lib staff are represented in Uni governance if not-quite-TT, -and- if not on that line. #critlib

@PoorCharlotte what do you mean by union vs tenure-track? I view them as complementary but diff things #critlib

@PoorCharlotte what do you mean by union vs tenure-track? I view them as complementary but diff things #critlib

Also relevant to A1 #critlib  https://twitter.com/aasher/status/494532186008465408 …

Also relevant to A1 #critlib  https://twitter.com/aasher/status/494532186008465408 …

@lalaleefull when presenting on library policies & procedures, we had to vet everything. but not for our own non-lib scholarship #critlib

@lalaleefull when presenting on library policies & procedures, we had to vet everything. but not for our own non-lib scholarship #critlib

A3.2 Which means, without being on TT my introduction to this work would have been *different*: better or worse, will never know #critlib

A3.2 Which means, without being on TT my introduction to this work would have been *different*: better or worse, will never know #critlib

@AprilHathcock Not in the classroom. #critlib

@AprilHathcock Not in the classroom. #critlib

Tossing out the subQ in a sec #critlib