Regional Media Research & Target List

Books That Build Skills is preparing for the September pilot launch of our innovative Library Book Kit Program with the Shelby County Library System at the Alabaster Public Library. We are seeking a media research professional to build a highly targeted, geographically organized media database that will help us take this story beyond one community—reaching journalists, editors, producers, and media outlets throughout Alabama and key neighboring markets.

This volunteer will research and build a targeted media contact list to support the launch of the Library Book Kit Program and its future expansion. Rather than creating a broad general-media database, we are looking for carefully researched contacts whose audiences and coverage areas align with literacy, education, families, public libraries, workforce development, community impact, youth development, STEM, nonprofit innovation, and local business partnerships.

The media list should be organized geographically to support a tiered outreach campaign.

Tier 1 will focus on the Birmingham metropolitan area and Shelby County, where the pilot is launching.

Tier 2 will expand throughout Alabama, with particular attention to Montgomery, Mobile, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa.

Tier 3 will target strategic neighboring markets, including Atlanta, Nashville, Jackson, Mississippi and Jacksonville, Florida helping us begin introducing the Library Book Kit model beyond Alabama.

Research should include relevant television, radio, newspapers, magazines, digital publications, community publications, education media, parenting and family media, podcasts, and other appropriate outlets.

Whenever publicly available, each entry should include the outlet, journalist/editor/producer, position or beat, geographic market, contact information or preferred submission method, relevant coverage interests, and notes explaining why the contact is appropriate for the campaign.

The final database should be organized so that Books That Build Skills can immediately use it for targeted outreach surrounding the pilot launch and retain it as a resource as the Library Book Kit Program expands.

This project will help Books That Build Skills turn a successful local pilot into the foundation for regional and national expansion. By building awareness of the Library Book Kit Program beyond its first library location, we can introduce the model to additional library systems, community partners, and potential sponsors—first throughout the Birmingham region, then across Alabama, and ultimately throughout the Southern United States. The goal is to use this pilot not simply as a launch, but as the proof of concept for a scalable program that can bring free literacy, life skills, STEM, and career exploration resources to communities across the country.

We are committed to making this launch a success and will provide the volunteer with the resources, access, and organizational support needed to execute an effective public relations campaign.

Our team will secure the launch venue, either the Alabaster Public Library or Brown Lumber Building Supply, and coordinate participation from all seven program sponsors, library leadership, and Books That Build Skills representatives. All seven Library Book Kits will be available for display, demonstrations, photography, and media interviews.

We will provide a complete media toolkit, including our brand guide, organizational messaging, logos, photography, background information, and other communication assets needed to support outreach. Our recently redesigned website is launch-ready and includes dedicated information about the Library Book Kit Program.

Our CEO and founder will serve as the primary spokesperson and will be available for media interviews with as little as three hours' notice whenever possible, while maintaining flexibility throughout the campaign to accommodate interview opportunities. She will be available for in-person interviews held in the Birmingham-metro area.

In addition to earned media, we will support the launch with a coordinated September social media campaign highlighting the Book Kits, participating sponsors, the Charms Book Series, and the educational impact of making these resources freely available through public libraries.

Our team is organized, responsive, and fully committed to working alongside the volunteer to maximize the success of this pilot launch and position the Library Book Kit Program for expansion throughout Alabama and beyond.