employer cover photo
employer logo
employer logo

Athens Regional Library System

Is this your company?

Abusive work environment with low pay and zero professionalism - Librarian Athens Regional Library System Employee Review

1.0
Sep 14, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Friendly patrons, employee vending machines, free parking. Many of the regular patrons are very, very nice. The library provides excellent services for the community, the programming is excellent, and many coworkers can be very kind people.

Cons

Do yourself a favor and avoid working here. The library director during my tenure, Valerie Bell, was extremely unprofessional. If she did not like you - beware - she would stop at nothing to turn your coworkers against you and attempt to humiliate you in meetings. Bell's perennially agitated nature, which included raising her voice in attempts to intimidate me, seemed to set a precedent for bully culture from the top down. Whatever Bell says, goes, even if it fosters a hostile and toxic work environment. HR, under Bell's yoke, does what they can to help you, but ultimately Bell's attitude will continue to drive away valuable, highly educated workers. Employment here will result in you being overworked to an extreme, but if you don't stay after hours you will be judged by colleagues - it is a dog-eat-dog race to the bottom. The library itself is chronically understaffed and I was subject to abject hostility from many of my colleagues, all of which appears to be tolerated by management. Pay is low, the work is stressful, and the work environment is unhealthy. Avoid at all costs.

Explore other reviews about Athens Regional Library System

5.0
Aug 23, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The management and your coworkers are the best, and many in the community really are supportive and kind

Cons

Some extremists in the political hate groups like attacking the library and can be really nasty to staff

4.0
Mar 30, 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people, fun environment. Amazing programming, lovely patrons.

Cons

Many years have no raises because labor is poorly funded. No benefits. No advancement opportunities. No hope to move to full times or get benefits as there are NO full time positions for this job. Lower pay than many poorer county library jobs nearby-which is why turnover is often high. Far less pay than other in county professional jobs. Your job on day one is your exact job forever—there are no levels to work up to. No lateral moves. Forever understaffed and overworked and behind on shelving due to understaffing.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All