Come be an information champion at Lawrence Public Library!
Community resource information is fragmented and ever-changing, making it difficult for both citizens and library staff to navigate the wealth of local service providers and connect a vast array of needs with available resources. We believe our role is essential: Libraries are community hubs which naturally make us the first place people come when they need help connecting the dots.
You understand that knowledge is power and helps people thrive.
We’re searching for a creative, ambitious, and enthusiastic individual who is committed to connecting community members with the information and resources they need in order to live their best lives. Your mission will be to work closely with the Information Services Supervisor, library staff, partner organizations, and community leaders to master the network of existing resources that meet basic needs while integrating library services and programs more widely into the Lawrence community.
Meet your future team.
If you enjoy hunting for, gathering, and sharing accurate information, Lawrence Public Library’s Information Services department is your kind of people. We love researching a variety of topics, connecting staff and patrons to community resources and services, learning new things every day, and leveraging our collective knowledge to transform our community for the better. We recognize that there is no singular path by which everyone seeks information and 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 reducing barriers to library services and community resources for Lawrence’s low-income and diverse populations. You’ll keep your finger on the pulse of the community by staying informed of local resources and concerns, developing relationships with partner organizations, communicating information about available library resources, and exploring opportunities to further develop library services to underserved communities. Keep in mind that this is an adult services specialist position with a subject specialist concentration on social services, not a direct service position.
As the Community Resource Specialist, 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 who work with or represent underserved populations via tours, presentations, and other forms of outreach
- Coordinate the library’s monthly Community Resource Clinic and annual Community Resource Fair by developing and maintaining relationships with partners, coordinating logistics, and working with the Information Services Supervisor to evaluate and further develop the services offered
- Gather and share information about local resources with community members and library staff
- Think creatively about how information is formatted and shared to best reach the target audience
- Coordinate programs, events or classes to meet the informational needs of the community
- Maintain and lead tri-annual updates of the Lawrence-Douglas County Resource Guide and Community Resources Database, providing comprehensive information about local programs and services
- Represent the library at advisory boards and other community events or meetings relating to underserved populations
- Create relevant library web pages, brochures, and other community resource-related 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
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree with coursework in liberal arts, social work, and/or communication, instruction, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience working in a public library or strong knowledge of public library professional philosophies of service
- Knowledge of community resources and social service agencies in Douglas County
- Ability to be self-directed and to work as part of a team
- Experience with program development for adult audiences
- Experience working with diverse and/or low-income populations
- Experience working in collaboration with partners
- Strong writing, interpersonal, and communication skills; ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people from diverse backgrounds
- Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills
- Available to work at least one evening a week and some weekends
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience with teaching, training, or public speaking
- Bilingual (English / Spanish)
- Experience with social media
- Graphic design skills
Schedule:
- Monday, 9-6
- Tuesday, 11-8
- Wednesday, 9-6
- Thursday, 9-6
- Friday, 9-6
This is a full-time Specialist position with a starting salary of $22.44 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 July 7. After the position closes, we will review applications and be in contact with you by July 12. Please do not contact us to follow up on your application before July 12 –we appreciate your patience!
Fully benefited with health, dental, retirement, paid time off, and more!
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.
Erica Segraves
HR Manager
esegraves@lawrence.lib.ks.us