Federal Work Study OFF-CAMPUS - Nashville Public Library Foundation (NPLF) Social Media Student Worker

Organization

The Nashville Public Library Foundation (NPLF) is the primary nonprofit partner of the Nashville Public Library. Since 1997, NPLF has raised nearly $110 million in private support, funding the innovation and reach that helped make NPL the national Library of the Year. Metro funding covers roughly 90% of the Library’s budget; the 10% NPLF contributes is what allows NPL to adapt, grow, and extend deeper into the community.

Our mission is to fund, advocate for, and amplify Nashville Public Library to power literacy, life skills, and connection for all.

Position Overview

The Social Media Student Worker supports NPLF’s social media presence across platforms, helping the Foundation tell the story of the Library and the people it serves. This is a paid, part-time position designed for a currently enrolled student who wants hands-on experience in nonprofit marketing and communications.

The student worker captures and creates content, drafts and schedules posts, monitors community engagement, makes basic website updates, and helps track performance. Work is assigned and reviewed by full-time marketing staff; the student worker executes within an established content calendar, brand voice, and campaign strategy rather than setting them. This role offers real portfolio-building work on live campaigns and events, with mentorship and regular feedback.

The Social Media Student Worker reports to the Nashville Public Library Foundation Director of Marketing and Communications.

Responsibilities

Content Creation & Capture

• Capture photo and short-form video content at Foundation and Library events, programs, and branch locations.
• Draft social copy in NPLF’s voice for review, adapting tone and format to each platform.
• Build simple graphics and short-form video edits using approved templates and brand assets (Canva or similar).
• Organize and tag photo, video, and graphic files in the shared media library so assets are easy to find and reuse.
• Research trends, audio, and formats relevant to library, literacy, and nonprofit audiences, and bring ideas to content planning conversations.

Social Media & Website Support

• Schedule approved posts across NPLF platforms according to the content calendar.
• Monitor comments, messages, tags, and mentions daily; flag questions, donor inquiries, and sensitive comments to full-time staff rather than responding independently.
• Engage with partner, Library, and community accounts to strengthen NPLF’s presence and relationships.
• Assist with event and campaign coverage, including day-of posting and stories for the Gala, Library Picnic, Literary Award Weekend, and signature giving campaigns.
• Help assemble social media toolkits and sample content for partners, board members, and NPL Ambassadors.
• Make basic website updates in the content management system, including posting news articles, adding and updating events on the calendar, and refreshing copy and images on existing pages, with staff review before publishing.
• Review site pages for broken links, expired event listings, and outdated information, and correct or flag them.

Measurement & Learning

• Pull engagement, reach, and follower metrics on a regular schedule and enter them into existing reporting templates.
• Note what performed well and what did not and share observations in campaign debriefs.
• Participate in marketing team meetings, content planning sessions, and campaign reviews.
• Receive regular coaching and feedback, with the goal of leaving the position with a portfolio of published work and a working knowledge of nonprofit campaign practice.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a Lipscomb University program, ideally in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, digital media, graphic design, or a related field.
• Demonstrated fluency with the major social platforms as a creator, not only as a user; a personal, class, campus, or internship portfolio of social content is strongly preferred.
• Strong writing, spelling, and grammar skills, with the ability to write clearly and concisely for a general audience.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and short-form video on a phone; familiarity with Canva, or Adobe Creative Cloud a plus.
• Experience working in a website content management system such as WordPress, or a willingness to learn one quickly.
• Dependability, discretion, and sound judgment when representing an organization publicly.
• Ability to take direction and incorporate feedback, while bringing ideas and initiative to the work.
• Comfort working with the public at events, including with children, families, older adults, and donors.
• Reliable transportation to Library locations across Davidson County for event and program coverage.
• Interest in libraries, literacy, or the nonprofit sector a plus.

Schedule and Work Environment

• 20 hours per week, scheduled in coordination with the supervisor and flexible around class schedules.
• Primarily on site at the Main Library, 615 Church Street, with regular travel to branch locations and event venues; some remote work may be available for scheduling and editing.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours would be helpful for event coverage, communicated in advance.
• Must be able to move about event spaces and carry basic equipment for extended periods during events.