Job Description
Come be an information champion at Lawrence Public Library!
We’re searching for a creative, ambitious, and enthusiastic individual who is committed to connecting community members with the information they need in order to live their best lives. Your mission will be to work closely with the Information Services Coordinator and library staff to plan and create programs, partner with local organizations to spread the word of the library, and provide welcoming and responsive reference service both inside and outside our beautiful building.
Meet your future team.
If you enjoy helping people and learning new things every day, Lawrence Public Library’s Information Services department is your kind of people. Your teammates include the Information Services Coordinator, a Community Resource Specialist, and several Information Services Assistants. We love researching a variety of topics, connecting patrons to community resources and services, and planning programs that help our patrons dig into their interests and lifelong learning goals. We recognize that there is no singular path by which everyone seeks information, and we strive to meet people where they’re at through in-person and digital service points, programming, and outreach.
We Support Diversity and Inclusion.
Lawrence Public Library (LPL) embraces diversity and promotes inclusion in its mission, hiring, and operations. The library actively seeks individuals whose commitments and contributions will advance our mission to be a diverse, equitable, and antiracist organization. Lawrence Public Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
What our ideal candidate looks like.
We’re seeking someone with a strategic vision and passion for making information accessible and reference service welcoming and inclusive for everyone. You understand that knowledge is power and helps people thrive. You’ll keep your finger on the pulse of the community by staying informed of local trends and issues, developing relationships with partner organizations, and exploring opportunities to connect our community with library services.
As the Information Services Librarian, we’ll need you to:
- Be an information maven! You’ll use a wide variety of information sources, including catalogs and databases, to connect patrons to the information they seek while staffing the Information Services department service desk or by phone, email or online chat
- Build relationships with and promote library services to community stakeholders
- Think creatively about how information is formatted and shared to best reach the target audience
- Coordinate programs, events or classes to meet the informational and lifelong learning needs of the community
- Represent the library at advisory boards and other community events or meetings
- Create relevant library web pages, brochures, and other library materials and keep them up-to-date
- Curate and promote library resources through lists, reviews, displays, and subject guides
- Take an active role in contributing to the department's online presence, creating content for blogs, podcasts, and/or other social media efforts.
- Assist in maintaining library collections by organizing, shelving, and weeding materials
- Serve as lead worker providing guidance to Information Services assistants in their daily work and provides limited oversight of department operations and staff in the absence of the Coordinator
- Manage all other duties as assigned
Required qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Library Science or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience working in a public library
- Experience coordinating programs and services
- Experience working in collaboration with partners
- Strong research, writing and communication skills; ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from diverse backgrounds
- Proficiency with common office suite programs
- Available to work one weekend day and one evening each week
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with teaching, training, or public speaking
- Experience with social media
- Graphic design skills
- Proficiency in another language in addition to English
This is a 32-hour/week Librarian position with a starting salary of $20.34 per hour, as well as a generous benefits package. If this sounds like the job for you, please consider joining our team at the Lawrence Public Library by submitting a job application, resume, and cover letter. For references, please be sure to include people that have worked with you in the past and can speak to your strengths. The application deadline is June 21, 2022 with an anticipated start date of August 22, 2022.
Benefits & Additional Compensation Info
Full benefits offered. Health insurance, paid time off, Employee Assistance Program, retirement, and more!
The Community
Lawrence Public Library is located in the heart of downtown Lawrence, Kansas, a quintessential Midwestern college town of 90,000 where you'll find both the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University. We pride ourselves on being a little quirky. We are known for our main street packed with locally-owned boutiques, chef-owned restaurants, live music, and a vibrant art scene as well as our fiery Civil War history and our free state status. We are warm and welcome and love celebrating each other.
HR Info
Erica Segraves
Employee Engagement Coordinator
esegraves@lplks.org