Pros
1. Depending on which branch you are in, you may or may not have to wear a St. Louis Public Library shirt as a uniform. I repeat, it all depends on the branch. If you do get to wear your own clothes, make sure that they are decent or professional in appearance. 2. You receive exposure to new ideas, subject matters and authors because you are handling the books a large percentage of the time. I've learned so many things I never knew about such as orphan trains, finger weaving, spiritual systems and more. 3. You will be able to meet new people, but also build friendships with frequent patrons. 4. Because you will be on your feet most of the time, you will be getting mandatory exercise, if that is what you wish. 5. Depending on which branch you are in, you may be able to catch one of the programs the library hosts. For example, the main library has monthly concerts and since they are free, you may catch the sound of it on your break. If there is a program that you wish to see, try to schedule your breaks around it. 6. The staff on average are quite polite, helpful and intelligent. Many of them are highly creative and have exciting talents that they sometimes share on the job. 7. Flexible hours and you won't be in a cubicle! 8. A chance for upward mobility. 9. If you enjoy putting things in order and see it as a happy challenge, apply, because there is always something to be shelved.
Cons
1. If you cannot physically handle the constant moving and bending that the position requires, do not apply. This position requires much walking, depending on the branch. Some branches such as Walnut Park, Julia Davis or Divoll are small and all one level, so you may not have to walk as much as you would at Central, which has about six levels. If you suffer from chronic knee pain, do not become a shelver. If you still wish to become one, make sure you wear comfortable shoes and jeans/lengthy skirt (short skirts are inconvenient while bending) 2. Currently, the pay for a level 1 shelver is $7.65 which is Missouri minimum wage. It is also the position that has the least amount of hours and lowest pay. The people who the position fits best are often teenagers, college students or older adults. If you are single with no family to support, it would be a nice position. However, if you are a person with a family to support, I would suggest applying elsewhere because the amount of pay and the hours will not be enough to sustain your family. 3. Shelvers are usually considered temporary part-time which is different from part-time. You will not be eligible for the health insurance provided by the company. Sometimes you may not be paid on holidays that other staff are paid for even if nobody was there that day. 4. If you are not a people person, do not become a shelver. Depending on where you are or how you look, you may have patrons that make you feel uncomfortable in their encounters with you. 5. Your hours may be strange. Sometimes you may work a few hours one day, a whole day another or even until 9:00 PM. Do not apply if this does not fit your lifestyle. 6. High turnover. Some people simply do not like or need shelving. Some needed it to have money during school or as an in-between job. It all depends on your attitude and viewpoint. You could be a shelver for years and love every moment of it. It can grow on you. 7. If you are a neat freak or you are extremely particular about order, this is definitely not the job to apply for because there will be no end to disorder. You may become overwhelmed by the amount you have to shelve, the piles of books a patron shoved into the wrong section, children's books mixed in with everything else and CDs that never stop becoming disorganized. If you do not approach this task with an assertive, yet relaxed attitude, you will drive yourself insane. 8. Sometimes it feels as if you are walking in circles, circles filled with the Dewey Decimal System.