Job Description
Lawrence Public Library is looking for a creative and energetic Media Relations & Communications Specialist to help tell Lawrence Public Library’s story, champion our offerings, and advance the library’s mission to inspire our community to imagine more for their lives through learning, connecting, creating, and growing. The Media Relations & Communications Specialist works in the Department of Development and Community Partnerships and reports to the Marketing & Patron Experience Coordinator.
A little bit about us.
At Lawrence Public Library, we have a supportive, collaborative, and at times playful work culture. We are committed to providing excellent library service to our community, but also don’t take ourselves too seriously. Our staff are creative problem-solvers and can balance multiple projects at once. We love learning, trying new things, and aren’t afraid to take risks. Staff well-being is one of our core values, and we take measures to support our employees in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
What our ideal candidate looks like.
Our ideal candidate is a creative, ambitious, and enthusiastic individual who is an active listener with an exceptional ability to find stories in unlikely places. We are seeking someone with a strategic vision and passion for amplifying library offerings through expert written and oral communication skills. This person will become an expert in the library’s offerings and strategically promote what we do to the right audience at the right time. From writing formal press releases to creating hilarious TikToks, you’ll be our “beat reporter”, and keep your finger on the pulse of needed information and how to best share that information with our 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.
As the Media Relations & Communications Specialist, we’ll need you to:
- Assist in developing and preparing written communications in a variety of formats appropriate to target audiences including, but not limited to, brochures, direct email and bi-monthly e-newsletters, surveys, webpage content, annual impact report, and ad and web copy
- Educate staff, patrons, shareholders, and general public about library news and offerings in a variety of written formats including formal, informal, directional, instructional, and informational
- Lead the library’s social media team and work collaboratively to create content that increases engagement with library offerings, help the library achieve its goals, and grow our library audience
- Lead and harmonize editorial direction and content for the Reader, the library’s quarterly news and events magazine
- Orchestrate, build, and send press releases using Associated Press (AP) Style
- Field media inquiries and arrange interviews, statements, etc.
- Assist in planning and initiating promotional campaigns, and reporting on performance using both data and anecdotal feedback
- Develop written communications guidelines, procedurals, style guides, and templates for event descriptions, webpage copy, and e-newsletters
- Serve in a public speaking role for the media and act as a liaison between the media and staff when expertise is needed
- Work actively in collaboration with colleagues from across the library to be informed about, promote awareness of, and drive engagement with library collections, events, services, resources, initiatives, and opportunities
- Manage all other duties as assigned
Required qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience in web content production, copywriting, editing, and communicating effectively with diverse populations
- Working knowledge of MS Office and Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive, etc.)
- Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills
- Proficient in or ability to learn Associated Press (AP) Style writing
- Experience planning and creating engaging social media content and campaigns
Preferred qualifications
- Hands-on digital marketing and SEO copywriting
- Experience working in public library communications and marketing capacity
- Experience working in events promotion
- Experience using Adobe InDesign to create print materials from a template
- Experience using Google Analytics and data analysis tools
- Working knowledge of photo and video editing software
- Graphic design skills
This is a 32 hour/week, full-time Specialist position with a starting salary of $22.21 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 Jan. 29, 2023.
Benefits & Additional Compensation Info
Full benefits, including paid time off, health care, 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
Human Resources Manager
esegraves@lawrence.lib.ks.us