ALSC Advocacy Website member content editor

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ALSC is seeking a Member Content Editor for its upcoming ALSC Advocacy Website, scheduled to go live on May 1, and electronic newsletter. The mission of the new site is to educate youth services librarians on the importance of advocacy and to provide them with tools to assist them in articulating their own value within the library profession and community.

The member editor will identify, solicit, edit, create, and maintain content for the Advocacy site and newsletter, with assistance from ALSC committees. Initially, the website editor will be working closely with the ALSC Advocacy Website Task Force to establish the new site and have it up and running for May 1, 2013. The editor will report to the ALSC Program Officer, Communications.

The deadline for applications is February 1, 2013.


Advocacy Website/Newsletter Member Content Editor Duties

  • Manage the content, tone, and administration of the ALSC Advocacy website. The site will deliver information, resources, and news, via multiple formats (e.g., podcasts, photos, audio, video, etc.), that pertain to advocating on behalf of libraries in general, and more particularly on behalf of youth services librarians and the work they do.
  • Identify, develop, and write and/or edit site content.
  • Work with ALSC committees, whose work relates to advocacy and legislation, on the development and creation of content.
  • Work with the ALSC community at large and other practicing youth services librarians on possible features about libraries/librarians doing great work in the field and/or on stories from actual patrons on the impact of libraries/youth services.
  • Establish a wider network (beyond ALSC) of advocacy experts and supporters who can provide ideas, educational articles about advocacy, and constructive evaluation of/feedback about the site.
  • Set and oversee schedules for all content contributors, following up as necessary to maintain workflow.
  • Ensure the site remains timely and fresh by setting up and following a regular schedule for adding new content and for site maintenance.
  • Handle tech troubleshooting for website and electronic newsletter: work directly with ALSC staff liaison to identify and solve tech issues relating to Drupal content management software, electronic newsletter delivery software, and the website in general.
  • Assist in developing, managing, and overseeing incentives, contests, or other special events related to promoting the Advocacy website and generating stories for inclusion on the site.
  • Manage posts from the public and spam if the site includes any sections that allow for open comment.
  • Answer questions and inquiries about the website.
  • Establish (with the assistance of ALSC staff) and manage a regularly-scheduled electronic newsletter (similar to AL Direct) that pulls content from the ALSC advocacy website and provides links to other ALA advocacy resources.
  • Submit a report to the ALSC Board of Directors annually (June), outlining the year’s achievements and challenges, and describing goals and objectives for the upcoming year.
  • The term of service will be one year with the possibility of renewal

Advocacy Website/Newsletter Member Content Editor Qualifications

  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills, in order to develop and write content and communicate with potential content developers and providers.
  • Experience with web publishing, including responsibilities such as: maintaining high standard of writing; ensuring compliance with web accessibility standards and guidelines; using video clips and streaming technologies, etc.
  • Experience with web content management software, including Drupal, and HTML proficiency.
  • Dynamic, self-motivated individual
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Ability to set and meet multiple deadlines
  • Ability to delegate work and to manage a variety of contributors and volunteers
  • Experience in library service to youth
  • Ability to work well in a team environment
  • Membership in ALSC

Advocacy Website/Newsletter Member Content Editor Compensation

  • A one-time payment of $1,000 for the initial work of establishing and populating this new website for a May 1 launch: such as brainstorming content with the Advocacy Website Task Force, identifying, soliciting, and securing contributors, writing, editing, and preparing web content, etc.
  • $2,000 per year honorarium for editorial management and site maintenance
  • Advocacy Website/Newsletter Member Content Editor will be expected to use own computer and Internet connection without reimbursement. Expenses for specialized equipment needed for audio or video production will be covered by ALSC. Either ALSC will rent/buy and ship to editor, or will reimburse editor for expenses that are approved in advance by the ALSC Executive Director)

The Advocacy Website/Newsletter Member Content Editor will be appointed by the ALSC President, with input from the ALSC Executive Committee, by February 15, 2013.

Candidates should send a cover letter, resume that includes management, writing, and web publishing experiences, and two writing samples to alsc@ala.org. All resumes, etc. must be submitted via email. The deadline for applications is February 1, 2013.

Questions? Contact Laura Schulte-Cooper in the ALSC office.