Job Description
Come join the fun at Lawrence Public Library!
We are searching for a creative, ambitious, and enthusiastic individual who is committed to customer service and loves working with children and teens. Your mission will be to work closely with the Youth Services Coordinator, Outreach and Events Coordinator, and the youth staff to take library storytime and services on the road to the Lawrence community.
Lawrence Public Library’s Youth Services department provides excellent services to families through outstanding collections and innovative library programming. The library prioritizes outreach services through family-oriented engagement. In addition to outreach, this position is responsible for our Spanish storytime, CuentaCuentos, and as a liaison for our Spanish-speaking community.
We Support Diversity and Inclusion. Lawrence Public Library 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.
Ideal Candidate. We seek a candidate with a strategic vision and skills to increase the library’s reach to youth and families, particularly those from low-income and diverse populations.
As the Youth Services Outreach Assistant, we will need you to
- Prepare outreach activities and engaging storytimes for local preschools, daycare centers, and community organizations focusing on services to low-income and underserved populations.
- Drive our new box truck, Dottie, to various stops around town.
- Collaborate with cross-departmental outreach efforts.
- Educate patrons about library services for youth and families at library service desks and during outreach visits in English and Spanish.
- Provide English/Spanish dual-language programs in the community and at the library for children and parents, including Spanish storytime.
- Implement imaginative and inventive programs for youth of all ages in conjunction with other staff.
- Be passionate about children’s literature and able to recommend books to kids and their adults.
- Truly value working with children and teens and appreciate all of their originality.
- All other duties as assigned.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience
- Fluent in Spanish conversation, reading, and writing
- Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from diverse backgrounds, including youth, families, and volunteers in English and Spanish.
- At least one year of experience working with children and teens
- Strong writing and communication skills
- Available to work nights and weekends
- Knowledge of children’s and teen literature
- As travel is required for this position, candidates will often need access to a personal vehicle (mileage will be reimbursed), have a valid Kansas driver's license, or the ability to obtain one, and have a safe driving record for the last five years
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience working in a public library
- Understanding of immigrant experience and culture
- Artistic, drama, and/or musical skills
This is a full-time, Technician position with a starting salary of $42,003 per year, as well as LPL’s generous benefits package. This position will work Tuesday–Saturday, require occasional nights, and has a start date of January 1, 2023. We will perform a criminal background check and motor vehicle background check if you are offered the position. 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 Tuesday, November 8, 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 95,000 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