Communication & Events Library Assistant Job at University of Central Missouri (

This position offers the opportunity for an enthusiastic, creative, and highly social individual to promote James C. Kirkpatrick Library's events, services, and exhibits. The Communication & Events Assistant designs, writes, and edits print, online, and social media content that engages the University of Central Missouri community, particularly students, and increases the Library's visibility in enhancing teaching and learning. The assistant implements and handles all logistics for Library events designed to enrich the University's intellectual, educational, and cultural life. This position coordinates a variety of library events and collaborates with others on campus for one-time events such as author talks or panels. The Communication & Events Assistant maintains relationships with staff in Integrated Marketing & Communications (IMC), the Alumni Foundation, and regularly communicates with other campus offices in pursuit of library promotion. Reporting to the Assistant University Librarian, the Communication & Events Assistant chairs the Library's Outreach Committee and serves as a member of the Web Usability Committee. Other duties as assigned.

Communication to include: - 35%

• Develops clear, concise, and compelling content for the library’s digital and print communication channel.
• Ensures consistent and effective messaging across all platforms.
• Writes, edits, and coordinates the development of promotional content for the library’s events and exhibits.
• Writes, edits, designs, and coordinates the creation of posters, signage, flyers, brochures, and other printed materials.
• Writes, edits, designs, and schedules regular email communications for internal and external audiences.
• Oversees content creation and editorial calendar for the library’s social media profiles, including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
• Coordinates with outside vendors for the production of library promotional materials.
• Assumes responsibility for deadlines and quality control throughout projects.
• Produces high-quality photography and videography of library activities with the assistance of student assistants, agencies, and vendors, and takes responsibility for digital asset management and sharing.
• Supervises 1-2 student assistants.

Event Planning to include: - 35%

• Coordinates the logistical planning and implementation of regularly scheduled library events for the University and local community, including the provision of planning and implementation support for the annual Children's Literature Festival.
• Actively searches for opportunities to co-sponsor and collaborate on events with academic departments, faculty, and UCM-affiliated organizations.
• Maintains master library event calendar and minimizes scheduling conflicts.
• Suggests creative ideas for events consistent with the University’s mission and academic programs.
• Coordinates and implements finals week activities (2 times per year) that provide support to students.
• Works with campus catering, Integrated Marketing and Communication, Meeting and Conference Services and other campus support units as necessary to execute library events.
• Collaborates with Outreach Committee members and other staff to provide onsite support for events.
• Sends timely and effective communications about events to the campus community via email, social media, and other communication channels.
• Coordinates and assists with implementing internal library events, such as all staff meetings, retreats, potlucks, welcome receptions, etc.
• Develops annual event budget; tracks expenses and submits monthly expense reports.

Assist patrons at the Library Services Desk, including but not limited to: - 20%

• Assists library users in effective use of library resources and services. Teaches users strategies for finding and using information and refers them to appropriate resources on and off campus.
• Uses a variety of communication approaches and tools, including face-to-face contacts, email and phone at service point.
• Communicates library policies to library users.

Assessment to include: - 5%

• Collects and analyzes data to assess the success of marketing and events activities.
• Assists the Assessment and Acquisitions Librarian in the planning and implementation of focus groups and usability studies to improve user experience.
• Compiles event information for inclusion in reports and the State of the Library.

Perform other duties as assigned, including but not limited to: - 5%

• Enforces library policies and procedures.
• Serves on Outreach Committee, Web Usability Committee, other departmental or university committees, and special projects as assigned.
• Responds to security alerts and emergency procedures as needed.
• Attends in-service programs as appropriate.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in any field required; field of marketing or public relations preferred.

Education may be substituted for experience or experience may be substituted for education. Note that equivalencies are based on the following: AA/60 hours = 2 years experience; BA/BS/120 hours = 4 years experience.

Experience:

• One (1) year full-time equivalent relevant work experience such as communications required.
• Experience writing for the web and with web authoring tools required.
• Experience with graphic design for email, web, social media, and print required.
• Experience and/or aptitude for designing, creating, and editing online and printed materials required.
• Experience developing promotional materials for email, web, social media, and digital displays required.
• Administrative support experience, including planning, implementing, and/or promoting events required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, presentation, and editorial skills required.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail required.
• Ability to interact successfully with many different constituencies required.
• Ability to meet multiple concurrent deadlines required.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team required.
• General understanding of and appreciation for an academic library and its function within a university community required.
• Demonstrated commitment to and support for diversity and inclusion required.
• Availability/flexible work schedule to manage occasional evening and weekend events required.
• Experience working in communications and/or marketing preferred.
• Experience creating social media content for professional purposes preferred.
• Knowledge of content marketing principles and best practices preferred.
• Proficiency in graphic design programs such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Canva preferred.
• Experience and/or aptitude for project management including leadership of a collaborative team preferred.
• Experience supervising and/or overseeing the work of others preferred.
• Experience working in a library (public or academic) preferred.

Environmental Factors:

• Excessive standing and/or walking.

Physical Factors:

• Ability to manipulate full book trucks and large books.
• Lift 40 lbs.