Your points are all very well taken, I was also struck by how this job seems to combine such functions. I think it is reflective of the general casualizaiton of the academy, an item of great concern for many on this list. With such casualization comes a growing precarity in the position and status of academic workers, along with a marked downskilling, all corresponding with greater flexibility and prerogative for management. What is most troubling about this particular posting is they do not even ask for a graduate degree (actually they don't even ask for a college degree) while instead seeking a "strong customer-service orientation." Casual part-time, non-degreed instructors with technical and customer service backgrounds -- Is this the future of higher education?
I'd like to refer then to the call for proposals for the Progressive Librarians' Guild Precarious Labour conference being held in Edmonton on October 26th as the submission deadline has been extended to September 8th, and the theme of the conference seems especially pertinent to the discussions unfolding on this list.
Samuel E. Trosow, Associate Professor
University of Western Ontario
Faculty of Information & Media Studies / Faculty of Law
[log in to unmask]
http://samtrosow.wordpress.com
twitter: @strosow
--------
CFP:
PLG Edmonton's Third Annual Symposium - Organize and Assemble III
2013 Theme: Precarious Labour
While the new economy is often celebrated for possessing increasing flexibility ('work at home,' 'be your own boss,' 'set your own hours') the reality is that 'flexibility' has been stressed to obscure the increasing precariousness of labourers. The flexible economy is best characterized by the decline of stable full time employment forcing workers to respond to a new reality where unemployment, underemployment, temporary work, outsourcing and downsizing are the prospects for a larger number of workers - ranging from students and recent graduates to veteran employees who have been deemed dispensable in the competitive, global economy. Precarity has been a particular mark of the information professions, where labour is less reliant on huge investments of fixed capital (such as factories) and can be done largely with low cost information and communications technologies anywhere, anytime.
The Progressive Librarians Guild (PLG) - Edmonton Chapter invites practitioners, scholars, activists, students, and other members of the general public interested in library, archival and allied information services to submit proposals for its third annual symposium, Organize and Assemble III, taking place in Edmonton on Saturday, October 26, 2013. This one-day refereed event will provide an interactive forum for the identification and exploration of contemporary issues of access, equity and social justice as they connect with and disconnect from the rhetoric and reality of library and archival studies and services locally and globally.
For this year's symposium, we are especially seeking submissions related to the theme of precarious labour. Possible topics include but are not limited to:
Services to communities resulting from precarious labour conditions
temporary foreign workers
programming
resources
Precarious labour within the information professions
unemployment
temporary/contract work
unpaid internships
unionization
austerity measures
freedom of speech in the workplace
occupational health and safety issues
Intersections of race, gender, precarious labour and information
Labour history of the information professions
Precarious labour and higher education (library school, academic librarianship etc...)
Where to find information about precarious labour
Please submit proposals (not to exceed 500 words) for individual and group contributions (e.g., papers, debates, round-tables, critiques, panels, posters, exhibits, manifestos, performances, mini-workshops, socially responsible merchandising) via email to plg.edmonton[at]gmail.com(http://gmail.com) by midnight September 8, 2013.
The PLG supports progressive and democratic activities in the area of information services and the Edmonton Chapter's Program Committee will review all submissions that recognize (or challenge!) this stance and the PLG statement of purpose more broadly: http://libr.org/plg/content/purpose.shtml (http://libr.org/plg/content/purpose.shtml)
Deadline for proposal submissions: September 8, 2013
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PLG Edmonton online: http://plgedmonton.blogspot.com(http://plgedmonton.blogspot.com/p/about.html).
Twitter feed: @PLGedmonton or http://twitter.com/PLGedmonton
On 09/03/13, Gretchen Whitney <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Greetings all,
> I'm just making an observation here, and not a judgement. Just asking some questions. And I reference a previous question regarding adjuncts on this list. And past experience.
> I had the impression that a Lecturer in the US context was someone who did not have a PhD in an appropriate discipline, but who taught infrequent courses at the graduate level, because of some special status (like director of a library of some ranking in the community).
> I find it strange that an academic appointment to Lecturer would also be assigned tasks in processing program applications (secretarial or program manager), marketing on campus (secretary or program manager or communication specialist), plan social events (secretary), prepare newsletter (communication specialist). contribute to web site (communication specialist or secretary), develop web-based and social media technologies (IT specialist), work with enrollment management (unknown). and help students with first-time enrollment (program manager).
> In terms of knowledge and requirements, knowledge of HTML and CSS (not to be snarky, but if I had really solid operational knowledge of these I'd not be planning parties, and my knowledge of both is above average), as well as in photo editing and video editing.
> My questions are these: (1) is a new position emerging in LIS education, in which a tekkie has great technical skills, can teach a little about something in LIS, but who is also willing to do secretarial and marketing activities? (2) Like desktop publishing did (falling from technical specialists in the 1980s to today's "anybody can do it", have HTML and CSS fallen to the "anybody can do it" level? (3) If what is needed is a secretary or marketing specialist, why call this position a teacher? The first two may be cheaper. (4) If the Lecturer is to teach graduate students, should there not be some kind of educational degree required, like, maybe a I'll shut up now.
> I'm not being critical. I'm just asking questions.
> I realize that the British status of Lecturer has different implications and may be different in other countries as well. I refer to the US interpretation of the title.
>
> The Faculty Handbook might have something to say about this issue - several do according to a quick search of Google. I didn't find a Faculty Handbook for UKY.
>
> Welcome back to a new school year, everyone.
> --gw
>
> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
> Gretchen Whitney, PhD, Retired
> School of Information Sciences
> University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN 37996 USA [log in to unmask]
> http://web.utk.edu/~gwhitney/
> jESSE:http://web.utk.edu/~gwhitney/jesse.html
> SIGMETRICS:http://web.utk.edu/~gwhitney/sigmetrics.html
> <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
>
> On Tue, 3 Sep 2013, Reynolds, Stephanie D wrote:
>
> >University of Kentucky
> >School of Library & Information Science
> >
> >Position Title: Lecturer
> >
> >This is a 12-month faculty position. This position has a reduced teaching load (2 courses each calendar year) and additional administrative duties.
> >
> >Teaching:
> >
> > *
> >Will be responsible for teaching 2 courses each calendar year
> > *
> >Courses will be primarily master?s level courses in library and information science
> > *
> >Courses will be taught online using Blackboard LMS
> >
> >Student recruitment:
> >
> > *
> >Respond to requests for information from prospective students
> > *
> >Process applications to library science program
> > *
> >Work with campus based undergraduate groups to increase visibility of LIS on campus
> > *
> >Work with groups outside of UK to increase visibility of LIS off campus
> > *
> >Attend and display at 4-5 regional recruitment events each calendar year
> >
> >Student community:
> >
> > *
> >Respond to inquiries from current students
> > *
> >Act as office liaison with LIS student groups
> > *
> >Manage online student community group in Blackboard
> > *
> >Publish regular department newsletter for students
> > *
> >Plan campus and virtual outreach events
> >
> >Marketing:
> >
> > *
> >Assist with managing web site (sourcing content, writing content, acquiring or creating graphics/images, HTML)
> > *
> >Assist with designing print and electronic marketing pieces
> > *
> >Develop web-based technologies and utilize social media and other online tools to increase outreach to current and prospective students
> > *
> >Publish electronic newsletter for prospective students
> >
> >Other:
> >
> > *
> >Assist with enrollment management to aid in course scheduling
> > *
> >Assist new students with first time enrollment
> > *
> >Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials to various audiences.
> > *
> >Other duties as assigned
> > *
> >Some travel required
> >
> >Minimum Qualifications
> >
> > *
> >Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential records and information, and to handle confidential matters with discretion and diplomacy.
> > *
> >Ability to provide information and explain policies and procedures to students.
> > *
> >A strong customer-service orientation with the ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people, including the public, faculty, staff, administrators, and students.
> > *
> >Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with faculty, staff, and students and with personnel from other campus departments and outside agencies.
> > *
> >Demonstrated experience composing and editing web pages using HTML and CSS.
> > *
> >Technically proficient in Microsoft Office products (Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word).
> > *
> >Effective organizational and time management skills; ability to handle multiple projects and responsibilities concurrently.
> > *
> >Capacity to work independently and as part of a team.
> > *
> >Effective verbal and written communication skills
> >
> >Ideal qualifications
> >
> > *
> >Exceptional knowledge of targeted recruitment principles, procedures, and resources.
> > *
> >Experience using desktop publishing, photo editing, and video editing platforms (especially the Adobe Creative Suite: Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop.).
> > *
> >Demonstrated experience in website design and CMS-driven website frameworks, Drupal preferred.
> > *
> >Strong knowledge of applying user-centered design principles.
> > *
> >Understanding of relational databases.
> >
> >The University of Kentucky is the flagship campus in the state, situated in greater Lexington (population 300,000), in the beautiful Bluegrass region of horse farms and rolling hills. Founded in 1865, UK is a public, research-extensive, land grant Institution, ranked among the top U.S. public universities on a number of criteria, with special strength in the health sciences. The School is part of the College of Communication and Information, which includes the Department of Communication and the School of Journalism and Telecommunications, and is a member of the iSchool consortium. The Master?s program is ALA?accredited. Strong relationships with computing, telecommunications and library services provide a rich environment for teaching and research.
> >
> >This position is a 12-month appointment with paid vacation. Salaries are competitive and commensurate with qualifications and level of appointment. Benefits include participation in TIAA/CREF, employer-funded health insurance, and tuition assistance for employees, partners and dependents. For additional information, please see http://www.uky.edu/HR/benefits/.
> >
> >Send letter of application, a complete vita, and the names of at least three references to:
> >
> >Jeffrey Huber, Director
> >School of Library and Information Science
> >University of Kentucky
> >320 Little Library Building
> >Lexington, KY 40506-0224
> >Phone: 859-257-8876
> >FAX: 859-257-4205
> >[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>>
> >
> >Review process will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. Expected starting date is January, 2014 with the possibility of starting earlier. Application and nomination of minority candidates are strongly encouraged. The University?s commitment to diversity is discussed at http://www.uky.edu/Diversity/.
> >
> >The University of Kentucky is An Equal Opportunity Employer
> >
> >
> >Stephanie D. Reynolds, PhD, MSLS
> >Youth Services & Literature
> >Director, McConnell Center/Conference
> >School of Library & Information Science
> >University of Kentucky
> >333 Little Library Building
> >Lexington, KY 40506-0224<mailto:[log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>>
> >[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>>
> >
> >Find Course Information on My Wiki<https://sites.google.com/site/youthlitmatters/>
> >Find Info on the 2013 McConnell Conference<http://cis.uky.edu/lis/mcconnell-conference>
> >The McConnell Center/Conference on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=57962798990>
> >The McConnell Reading/Event Group on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/groups/McConnellReading/>
> >Dr. Reynolds's Student/Advisee Group on Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/sdreynolds28?ref=name#!/groups/249490781731022/>
> >Twitter/GoogleTalk: youthlitprof
> >Skype: sdreynolds28
> >
> >
>
>
>
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