Pros
-I learned through firsthand direct experience how to cope with people experiencing homelessness and mental illness, sometimes behaving violently towards themselves, each other, staff and other community members -I became much more comfortable communicating with 911 dispatch -I feel I became proficient deescalating violent behavior for many hours while waiting for police to respond to a 911 call for help -I always felt like I was a valuable team player because a good portion of my coworkers called-out of work on a near-weekly basis or didn’t seem ‘altogether there’ while present. -I usually felt confident that I had room for improvement and growth after management and senior leaders seemed to take care to passively or directly threaten, belittle, insult, and humiliate staff whenever the opportunity presented itself. -Six free counseling/therepy sessions available through the health insurance at the time. When I called the number to inquire an automated message ensured me that I mattered and no issue was too small to reach out for help…and to leave a voicemail message to receive a call back. They returned my call three weeks later! 😃 -I got the opportunity to resuscitate people overdosing on drugs -in my opinion, I got paid too much for the literal work I was assigned but way too little for threats and dangers I encountered so it was kind of a wash! -it’s possible that friends and family will think it’s so cool that they know a “librarian”! 🤩 -I became familiar with all the book cliches and popular titles and authors! -I learned how to identify insidious bed bugs while checking in newly returned books and dvds. -I learned how to put euphemistic spins on situations such as the public bathrooms reaching harmful levels of meth contamination and make them sound more like this, “closed for maintenance”. 👍
Cons
The following cons are a few that I experienced directly or witnessed while working here and may not necessarily be your experience should you become employed at TPL. -nepotism -nonfunctional union representation (this isn’t necessarily a reflection of TPL as an institution but TPL staff will be nominated and stand as your staff union rep. .During my experience there was bias and catty behavior blocking the path to resolving meaningful issues. Also, I was represented by the union whether I wanted to be or not and that’s not okay with everyone) -abhorrent leadership -ineffective, disconnected, and irresponsible board of directors -racism -sexism -ageism -discrimination -frequent violence from the public throughout various branches -feces .. that’s right, POOP! Get used to it unless you’re privileged enough to work at the Kobetich or Wheelock locations. -extensive time is spent in meetings and system wide training closures.