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Columbus Metropolitan Library

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Library no longer. - Anonymous employee Columbus Metropolitan Library Employee Review

2.0
Apr 15, 2014
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Books. These are on the way out but there still are some available. The library itself. Its continuing existence is of essential importance. Co-workers (non-management) are generally great folks. These are the people who help you get through the day, who know where you're coming from because they have been there, too.

Cons

Customers are primarily loud, bored, hyperactive teens who have nowhere else to go. Adults want to get on a computer and pay scant attention to what their children do. Lax rules allow them to do pretty much whatever they want. Security guards who want to remove disruptive customers are often contradicted by management: this maneuver undercuts the guards' authority and legitimizes customers' behavior. The library further encourages this play-time atmosphere by providing toys, which are thrown, scattered, and must be cleaned up by staff multiple times a day---along with food wrappers, drink cups, and other debris. Older customers, those who do not have smart phones, who read actual books, are disregarded. Youth is worshiped, courted, and emphasized to the detriment of anyone who is not of this demographic. Library is trying to be everything---day care center, parent, friend, teacher, entertainment----that is trendy and shiny and new. So much effort must be expended on keeping up with every fad that substance is forgotten. Its reach is exceeding its grasp. Much is made of 'celebrating diversity'. This celebration is only skin deep. If one has an opinion differing from the stated management position one had better keep one's mouth tightly shut. No matter if you see a way to do something better---if it is not in line with the Handbook you will be ignored or disciplined. Or both. If you are ethnic and young, CML will love you. Don't bother applying if you are middle-aged. The worship of youth extends to who gets hired. Exception to this is if you are really good at making doe-eyes at management propaganda.

Explore other reviews about Columbus Metropolitan Library

5.0
Jan 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Great coworkers - Good pay - Good managament

Cons

- OPERS - Not as much patron interaction

4.0
Nov 12, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Loved working here. Co-workers and managers were cool, the patrons were great as is the environment. Sometimes it got busy/stressful but with such a great team by my side I never once felt like I didn’t have any support. I was part-time so there was good work-life balance and PTO was never an issue for me.

Cons

The pay was decent, but being locked to a 24hr work week left a lot to be desired from my check. I could often pick up a few extra hours here and there, but I came hoping I could easily advance to full time but that just didn’t happen. Full time positions are rare here so naturally everyone jumps at them when they do become available and you don’t always get picked to interview even if you put in the hard work.

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