NBL Librarian Toolkit

Edit added 2024-06-19 by FG: the SRL program was disbanded at the end of fiscal year 2024 in favor of individual librarians discussing their research time needs with their unit director and/or applying for a sabbatical when eligible.

Current members of the Short Research Leave Committee are: Megan Lotts (Chair), Caryn Radick, and Judit Ward (committee was initially formed in August 2020). 

Proposal submissions for Short Research Leaves are due by January 10, April 10, July 10, and October 10. Should you have a request outside of these deadlines, please contact a member of the committee. To please submit a proposal please full out the Qualtrics survey. 

Nature of the Program 

The purpose of the short research leave (SRL) is to give members of the Library Faculty an alternative opportunity to further their scholarly/creative or research interests in accordance with the review criteria.  

Time Limits 

SRLs provide up to 22 working days within a six-month timeframe. The leave may be scheduled for a continuous period or periodically, for instance once a week.  Should a faculty member’s research request exceed 22 days, applicants should consider a sabbatical leave.

Eligibility Guidelines

SRLs will be limited to one per year for any individual. 

While all reviewers are responsible for assuring the quality of the project, it is the primary role of the RUL NBL Research Leave Review Committee to evaluate the scholarly merit of the proposal. Scheduling and release time are the province of the Associate University Librarian, who also grants final approval. 

Application Time Frame

Proposals will be reviewed four times a year after the following quarterly deadline dates: January 10, April 10, July 10, October 10. Please note the entire review process will be completed within 4 weeks following the quarterly application deadline.

Applications may be submitted via Qualtrics and the link is located on the Librarian Toolkit.  

Applications received after the deadline will be considered during the next quarter. The RUL-NB Research Leave Review Committee should wait until ALL applications are received before acting on the applications. Applications should be forwarded to the Associate University Librarian within 10 working days of the quarterly deadline. The Associate University Librarian must act on the application within 10 working days of its receipt and confer with the RUL NBL Research Leave Review Committee when needed. 

Requirements

Within thirty working days of completion of the leave, a brief written report must be submitted to the RUL-NB Associate University Librarian and RUL-NB Research Leave Review Committee. The report should indicate the results achieved during the leave and any work not completed. Representative portions of completed writing or bibliographies should be attached. Failure to submit a report will preclude the granting of any subsequent research leaves. You are encouraged to speak about your SRL at an NBLF/SCUA meeting or other NBLF/SCUA venue.

Please include the dates in your proposal, the following: 

• The dates & number of days you plan to take research leave. 
• Please list all previous leaves you have received. 
• Please address the following in your proposal.  

• What will be the product, results, or impact of this leave? 

• What is your plan (methodology) for this project? 
• What have you accomplished to date? 
• Who will find this project useful?  How does it contribute to the state of the art? 
• How do you propose to schedule your 22 days?  (Tentative timetable.)