The Study/Professional Development Leave for Full-Time Librarians was approved in principle by the Senate of McGill University on April 18, 1979 and by the Board of Governors on May 28,1979. (Senate Document D8-85.) It is a paid leave of absence which is available to full-time, tenured and tenure-track librarians for the purpose of "academic study, research and development, writing, or travel for investigative purposes". (Document D8-85, Recommendation 1.f.). It is entirely distinct from Sabbatic Leave which is available to librarians under the same conditions as those for faculty. These conditions are described in the Handbook of Regulations and Policies for Academic Staff, Chapter Three.

By offering two types of academic leave to librarians, the University has recognized the special nature of the librarian's position responsibilities which must be performed throughout the year.

1. All arrangements regarding the Study/Professional Leave shall be internal to the Library System.

2. The leave may be granted for, inter alia, projects of original or applied research; pilot projects for a major research project; teaching assignments; substantial scholarly exhibits; courses or training in technology, management or languages.

3. Leave may be granted for a period of up to three months in a given period of twelve months or, if agreeable to all parties concerned, it may take the form of release time during the regular work week for a period of time not exceeding the equivalent of three months leave.

4. Proposals for the leave may be initiated after three years of continuous service by the librarian or the Director of Libraries. One month shall normally be awarded for every two years of continuous service. The period of the leave shall be counted when determining years of service for promotion and tenure. Benefits shall be continued.

5. Applicants shall submit a substantive proposal to the Director of Libraries who will decide on its merit and consult with the appropriate Administrative Librarian about the feasibility of granting the leave in a given period of twelve months.

6. Applications for leave shall normally be submitted at least six months in advance. While leaves are granted on a discretionary basis, it is understood that after three years of continuous service leave will not be withheld arbitrarily. If leave is not granted in a given year, for administrative reasons, it shall be given priority the following year.

7. The applicant, in consultation with the appropriate Administrative Librarian, shall suggest plans for his/her replacement while on leave. It is hoped that colleagues will agree to share responsibility for the applicants duties.

8. The applicant shall state his/her intent to return to the University for a period of time equal to the length of the leave.

9. At the end of the leave the librarian shall submit a full report of activities to the Director of Libraries. Reports shall be available for consultation to all librarian staff.

10. The availability of the Study/Professional Development Leave and the names and projects of successful applicants shall be publicized annually in the Libraries Gazette.

11. The application shall include a promise from the candidate to declare all grants and remuneration that might be received during the period of the leave. Awards, grants, or fees received during the leave shall not be used to increase the librarian's salary beyond 100% Excess amounts shall be refunded to the University.\

Approved:

Director of Libraries

Date: