Web Publications & Tenure

[David P Atkins]

Hello all,

At LSU, we are grappling with the issue of Web publications and tenure 
requirements: Research, Service & Job Performance.  All seem to be in 
agreement (The other day, the Earth standing still was the result of our 
faculty being in agreement.  Thought you should know) that electronic analogs 
to traditional published-in-print examples of research & service (e.g. 
article or editorship in electronic, peer-reviewed journal, maintenance 
of a professional society's web site, etc.)

One issue to be resolved:  Are self published, annotated internet finding 
aids (webliographies) considered research or job performance.  Creation 
of archival finding aids & of databases have traditionally been lumped w/ 
research.  Now, members of the library faculty are creating 
webliographies that are used by libraries across the country & given 
various stamps of approval by external sources (e.g. UMich/Argus 
Clearinghouse).  The value of these external reviews in the tenure 
process has yet to be determined.

The faculty may agree that if a webliography is peer-reviewed by an 
external source, then the work could be considered 'research', for tenure 
& reappointment purposes.  But who does or will do the review.

My query, are any of you addressing this same or similar issue and if so, 
what questions & answers are you coming up with?

I'll be asking this same question in other forums (ACRL for example) & 
can bring additional input into any discussion

I'd be happy to summarize for the list.

Thanks,
David

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David P. Atkins
Electronic Reference Services Librarian   
Middleton Library                    email:  notdpa at unix1.sncc.lsu.edu
Louisiana State University                     voice:   (504) 388-6823 
Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3300                      fax:    (504) 388-6825 
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