Consult with Us
About Libraries Without Borders US
Libraries Without Borders US (LWB US) is the American branch of the international nonprofit, Bibliothèque Sans Frontières. Since 2014, we’ve partnered with public libraries and community organizations to ensure everyone—regardless of who they are or where they live—has access to a library: a safe place to learn, create, and connect to vital resources.
Rooted in the belief that access to information is a fundamental right, we work alongside institutions and excluded communities to remove barriers, reimagine what and where a library can be, and co-create solutions that are grounded in community leadership.
Our Institutional Partnerships program equips libraries with expert consulting that helps them reach the families traditional programs miss—and deliver measurable results. We generate earned revenue by providing consulting, training, and technical assistance to libraries and community organizations, strengthening their capacity to equitably serve all populations.
Our Values
All consultants are expected to embody our organizational values:
- Community-led: We center the voices and needs of those we serve.
- Place-based: We meet people where they are—in libraries, schools, laundromats, and trusted community spaces.
- Evidence-informed: We use data to design, adapt, and scale what works.
- Justice-oriented: We build community agency through access to knowledge and information.
About These Positions
These positions are project-based consultant roles activated when LWB US secures institutional partnership contracts. Consultants work on a per-project basis, coordinated by the Program Manager, Institutional Partnerships. Compensation is commensurate with experience and project scope.
Open Positions
Research & Community Assessment Consultant
Service Areas: Community Assessment & Data Analysis, Research/Assessment/Data Management, GIS/Mapping
Position Overview
The Research & Community Assessment Consultant conducts primary and secondary research to help library partners understand community barriers, needs, and assets. This role involves demographic analysis, survey design, asset mapping, GIS-based analysis, and synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations that inform library programming and outreach strategies.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct demographic and socioeconomic analysis of library service areas using census data, local datasets, and other secondary sources
- Design and administer community surveys, focus groups, and key informant interviews to gather primary data
- Develop asset maps identifying community resources, partner organizations, and service gaps
- Utilize GIS mapping tools to visualize community data, service deserts, and accessibility patterns
- Analyze library usage data to identify who is and isn’t being reached by current programs
- Synthesize quantitative and qualitative findings into clear, accessible reports with actionable recommendations
- Present findings to library leadership and staff in formats appropriate for diverse audiences
- Support library partners in using data for grant applications, strategic planning, and program design
Qualifications
- Experience conducting community needs assessments, research studies, or program evaluations
- Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills including survey design and data analysis
- Proficiency with data visualization tools and GIS mapping software (ArcGIS, QGIS, or similar)
- Experience working with census data, demographic datasets, and community indicators
- Excellent written communication skills with ability to translate complex data for non-technical audiences
- Experience in library, education, public health, or social services sectors preferred
- Understanding of equity frameworks and experience working with underserved communities
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public policy, library science, urban planning, or related field; Master’s preferred
To Apply
Interested applicants may apply by filling out this form.
Program Development Consultant
Service Areas: Program Development
Position Overview
The Program Development Consultant designs new programs or redesigns existing programs to help libraries better reach underserved populations. This role involves researching national best practices, adapting evidence-based approaches to local contexts, developing logic models, and creating implementation plans that set library partners up for success.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct landscape research to identify evidence-based practices and successful program models from the library and education sectors
- Assess library partner capacity, resources, and community context to inform program design
- Develop program logic models that articulate inputs, activities, outputs, and intended outcomes
- Design culturally responsive programs that address barriers facing underserved communities
- Create detailed implementation plans including timelines, staffing requirements, and resource needs
- Develop program budgets and identify potential funding sources
- Design participant recruitment and retention strategies
- Create program materials including curricula, facilitation guides, and participant resources
- Establish metrics and data collection approaches for program monitoring
Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience designing programs in library, education, or community development settings
- Knowledge of evidence-based practices for reaching underserved populations
- Experience developing logic models and theories of change
- Strong understanding of program budgeting and resource planning
- Familiarity with grant-funded program requirements and compliance
- Experience working with public libraries or similar community institutions preferred
- Understanding of culturally responsive programming and equity-centered design
- Excellent project management and written communication skills
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s in library science, education, public administration, or related field preferred
To Apply
Interested applicants may apply by filling out this form.
Outreach & Communications Consultant
Service Areas: Custom Outreach, Communications
Position Overview
The Outreach & Communications Consultant develops strategies to help libraries reach populations that traditional programs miss. This role involves identifying barriers to library access, designing creative outreach approaches, building partnerships with trusted community organizations, and creating communications that invite underserved communities into library spaces and services.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify barriers preventing target communities from accessing library services
- Develop outreach strategies including pop-up libraries, community canvassing, and mobile services
- Build relationships with community organizations, schools, social service agencies, and faith-based institutions
- Create culturally responsive messaging and marketing materials for diverse audiences
- Design awareness campaigns that position libraries as welcoming, relevant community resources
- Develop partnerships with non-traditional venues (laundromats, community centers, health clinics) for library presence
- Train library staff on community engagement and culturally responsive communication
- Create communications toolkits including templates, talking points, and social media content
- Measure outreach effectiveness and adjust strategies based on results
Qualifications
- Experience in community outreach, grassroots engagement, or public relations
- Demonstrated success reaching underserved or hard-to-reach populations
- Strong relationship-building skills and experience working with diverse community partners
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills across multiple formats and platforms
- Experience creating culturally responsive messaging for diverse audiences
- Knowledge of marketing and communications strategies for nonprofit or public sector organizations
- Familiarity with social media platforms and digital engagement strategies
- Experience in library, education, public health, or community development sectors preferred
- Bilingual/multilingual skills a plus
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, community development, or related field
To Apply
Interested applicants may apply by filling out this form.
Implementation Support Consultant
Service Areas: Implementation Support
Position Overview
The Implementation Support Consultant provides hands-on assistance during program launch to ensure library partners successfully translate plans into action. This role involves supporting phased rollouts, troubleshooting challenges in real-time, creating localized materials, and making adjustments based on early results to set programs up for long-term success.
Key Responsibilities
- Support library partners through phased program rollouts with on-site or virtual presence
- Provide real-time troubleshooting and problem-solving during implementation
- Adapt program materials and approaches based on local context and early feedback
- Create localized outreach materials tailored to specific community needs
- Facilitate coordination between library staff, partners, and community stakeholders
- Document implementation challenges and solutions to inform future projects
- Monitor early indicators of success and recommend course corrections as needed
- Build capacity of library staff to sustain programs independently
- Provide regular progress updates and implementation reports to library leadership
Qualifications
- Experience supporting program implementation in library, education, or community settings
- Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple moving parts
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams
- Problem-solving orientation with comfort navigating ambiguity and unexpected challenges
- Experience training and building capacity of frontline staff
- Strong written communication skills for documentation and reporting
- Flexibility to adapt plans based on real-world conditions
- Experience working with underserved communities and understanding of cultural responsiveness
- Ability to travel for on-site support as needed
- Bachelor’s degree required; experience may substitute for formal education
To Apply
Interested applicants may apply by filling out this form.
Strategic Planning Consultant
Service Areas: Strategic & Sustainability Planning
Position Overview
The Strategic Planning Consultant helps library partners develop short and long-term strategies for sustainable growth, expanded community impact, and financial diversification. This role involves facilitating planning processes, assessing organizational capacity, identifying partnership opportunities, and creating actionable plans that position libraries for lasting success.
Key Responsibilities
- Facilitate strategic planning processes with library leadership, staff, and community stakeholders
- Conduct organizational assessments to identify strengths, challenges, and growth opportunities
- Develop strategic plans with clear goals, strategies, metrics, and implementation timelines
- Create sustainability plans that reduce dependence on single funding sources
- Identify partnership opportunities with foundations, government agencies, and corporate sponsors
- Assess and strengthen library capacity for community engagement and program delivery
- Develop funding diversification strategies including earned revenue, grants, and donations
- Create board development and governance recommendations where appropriate
- Support libraries in aligning programs with strategic priorities and community needs
Qualifications
- Experience facilitating strategic planning processes for nonprofit or public sector organizations
- Strong knowledge of organizational development and capacity building frameworks
- Understanding of nonprofit finance, sustainability models, and funding diversification
- Experience with stakeholder engagement and consensus-building processes
- Excellent facilitation and presentation skills
- Strong analytical and written communication skills
- Experience in library systems, education, or community development sectors preferred
- Understanding of equity and inclusion frameworks in organizational planning
- Master’s degree in nonprofit management, public administration, library science, or related field preferred
To Apply
Interested applicants may apply by filling out this form.
Training & Curriculum Development Consultant (HR)
Service Areas: Training & Capacity Building, Adult Learning/Course Development
Position Overview
The Training & Curriculum Development Consultant designs and delivers professional development that builds library staff capacity for community engagement, culturally responsive service delivery, and equitable outreach. This role involves developing curricula, facilitating workshops, and creating ongoing learning opportunities that translate into real-world practice.
Key Responsibilities
- Design training curricula on topics including community outreach, cultural competency, equity, and program delivery
- Develop adult learning experiences using evidence-based instructional design principles
- Facilitate in-person and virtual workshops, trainings, and cohort-based learning experiences
- Create practical, actionable training materials that translate into on-the-job application
- Develop train-the-trainer programs to build internal library capacity
- Design coaching and follow-up support structures to reinforce learning
- Assess training effectiveness through participant feedback and behavior change metrics
- Adapt training content for diverse audiences and learning styles
- Create resources including guides, toolkits, and job aids that support ongoing learning
Qualifications
- Experience designing and facilitating professional development for adult learners
- Strong knowledge of adult learning theory and instructional design principles
- Excellent facilitation and presentation skills for both virtual and in-person settings
- Experience developing curricula on equity, cultural competency, or community engagement topics
- Ability to create engaging, practical training materials
- Experience with training evaluation and measuring learning outcomes
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with diverse audiences
- Experience in library, education, or nonprofit capacity building preferred
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s in education, instructional design, or related field preferred
To Apply
Interested applicants may apply by filling out this form.
DEIA/Equity Consultant
Service Areas: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility
Position Overview
The DEIA/Equity Consultant helps library partners embed equity principles throughout their programs, services, and organizational practices. This role involves assessing current practices through an equity lens, developing recommendations for more inclusive service delivery, facilitating difficult conversations, and building staff capacity to center the needs of historically excluded communities.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct equity assessments of library programs, services, policies, and practices
- Develop recommendations for removing barriers and increasing accessibility for underserved populations
- Facilitate conversations and learning experiences on equity, inclusion, and cultural humility
- Support libraries in developing equity action plans with measurable goals
- Advise on culturally responsive programming and community engagement approaches
- Review communications, materials, and spaces for accessibility and cultural responsiveness
- Build staff capacity to recognize and address systemic barriers
- Support inclusive stakeholder engagement and community input processes
- Connect libraries with resources and best practices from the equity and inclusion field
Qualifications
- Deep knowledge of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility frameworks and practices
- Experience conducting equity assessments and developing organizational equity plans
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate difficult conversations on race, equity, and inclusion
- Understanding of systemic barriers facing economically disadvantaged communities, communities of color, immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized groups
- Experience with accessibility standards and practices for people with disabilities
- Strong facilitation, coaching, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to build trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders
- Experience in library, education, nonprofit, or public sector settings preferred
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced training or certification in DEI, organizational development, or related area preferred
To Apply
Interested applicants may apply by filling out this form.
Senior Library Consultant (Cross-Functional)
Service Areas: Multiple service areas based on project needs
Position Overview
The Senior Library Consultant brings broad experience across multiple service areas and can serve in various capacities based on project needs. This role is for experienced consultants who can lead comprehensive engagements, collaborate with other consultants on complex projects, or contribute specific expertise as part of a larger team. Senior Consultants may work independently on integrated projects or partner with specialized consultants on multi-faceted engagements.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead or co-lead comprehensive consulting engagements that span multiple service areas
- Coordinate with specialized consultants to deliver integrated solutions to library partners
- Conduct needs assessments and develop project approaches that address complex challenges
- Serve as primary client contact for relationship management and project coordination
- Provide expertise in multiple service areas including community assessment, program development, outreach strategy, or strategic planning
- Adapt role and responsibilities based on project requirements and consultant capacity
- Build and leverage regional relationships to generate partnership opportunities
- Collaborate with other consultants as part of a community of practice
- Contribute to proposal development for complex, multi-service engagements
Qualifications
- 7+ years of experience in library consulting, community development, or related fields
- Demonstrated expertise in at least two of our six service areas
- Experience leading or managing complex projects from design through implementation
- Strong client relationship management and communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and coordinate multiple consultants
- Experience working with public libraries or similar community-serving institutions
- Understanding of equity frameworks and experience with underserved communities
- Comfort with ambiguity and adaptive problem-solving
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s in library science, public administration, or related field preferred
- Geographic presence in regions where LWB US seeks to expand partnerships is a plus
To Apply
Interested applicants may apply by filling out this form.