library page

librarian

library assistant

tutor

senior librarian

The New York Public Library

In my MLIS program, this system was highly revered as one of the most reputable institutions in the field. I was VERY disappointed with my experience at NYPL and found that their "image" is very important which gives the illusion that this system is functional. Let me preface by saying that there are many branches and my experience is based in one small branch - I cannot speak on behalf of the experience working in other branches. 

The manager was not a degree bearing librarian and lacked the necessary foundation of information science to support day to day operations as well as objective based work. Everything from my emails, how I spoke, and completing the basic work tasks assigned to a public librarian position were overtly micromanaged. Initiative is actually discouraged so as to adhere to expectations set by "higher ups." Input from staff is always considered AFTER the fact as there are numerous conversations that occur excluding librarians and support staff (information is withheld in this case). Many staff members and managers have personal relationships with each other and let their personal business bleed into the workplace. There is certainly a clique culture which and any form of questioning or critical analysis is discouraged. If you question workflow or library objectives, your criticism is seen as defiance.

In the instance where I was assaulted on my way home from working, I was assaulted. When I brought the issue of safety up to HR after that incident, two HR representatives had the audacity to imply that I was racist for trying to move to a different branch. I was also stalked to and from work to which they replied "this is new york city and there's just nothing we can do to help you." Absolutely insulting and negligent in my opinion. 

Resources are allocated to the Manhattan area, leaving the surrounding boroughs with little to no budget for programming. Programming is pushed down your throat and you are expected to robotically hand over pre-written project information to patrons - you will be nothing more than a middle man. 

If you work out of state, do NOT apply to this system. Commuting into the city is difficult and unpredictable, though if you're late by a few minutes, you'd be told to use MINUTES of your annual leave. If you are sick, you are told to "not make it a pattern" and to try to pre-schedule your sick time as if you know when you're going to be sick???

I could go on and on about the deficiencies in this system and, again, this is only my personal experience, but I would not recommend this system to anyone - ever - especially if you feel a natural inclination to leadership and creative expression. If you are looking to get the name on your resume, it's worth toughing it out, but if you're looking for a career, it would be in your own best interest to look elsewhere. 

My typical day consists of me arranging and shelving library materials within my designated area, help patrons locate certain materials, running the computer center by signing patrons up to use the free internet computers, assist them if needed and instruct them in the free classes that the library provided on a weekly basis. I have learned the operations of working in library which consists of more than just checking out materials and having them returned. Management overall was good they fully enforced the regulations and policies of customer service and being fair as well my fellow co-workers were great to work with. The hardest part would be dealing difficult patrons that did not want to leave the computers because of their time being up. The most enjoyable part of the job would be working the patrons that took advantage of taking the free computer classes and helping them learn the basics of using a computer, the internet and Microsoft office applications.

Volunteering at the NYPL was a very rewarding job . A typical evening would include reviewing with my students the previous session we had. I answered any questions and then I let my students decide what readings they wanted to learn that week or weeks. I designed assignments around what we were reading. 

Through biographies that students wrote I learned about some of their different cultures and their individual circumstances that deprived them of going to school.

The management was wonderful. It was a collaborative effort to help our students and still given the independence of the tutors to design the class how they chose to considering all of the students needs.

There was no hard part of the job actually. My students were very determined learners. It had been a pleasure working with them. When it came time for evaluations my class had been the most successful. They had achieved higher scores on placement test then they had the previous term. They all showed a marked improvement. And they also scored the highest of all of the groups in the program.

Although my time at NYPL's Young Adult Literacy Program is going to be cut short, it has certainly been a pleasure working with such a dynamic group of like-minded professionals. I learned the value of documenting everything you do throughout the day, data work and the dynamics behind that and the importance of staff relationships as well as relationships between staff and student. The hardest part of the job is knowing that my position wasn't permanent and the data work. It wasn't my first time being one of the key people responsible for the data being properly submitted, but it was the first time dealing with the kind of data system NYPL had. The most enjoyable part of the job was helping and maintaining the uplifting environment/atmosphere of the workplace. Some days were challenging, but with like minded people around you all striving for the same goal which is to help these young people succeed and prepare them for life, all challenges we overpowered by the connection the staff had amongst each other.

It's a pleasure working at YALP!

Very stressful job with lots of hidden politics. If you are a library manager, you have no job security despite having to pay union dues (the union cut a deal with HR to throw out due process rights for managers 8 years ago, and ever since they randomly fire an average of 7 library managers per year). In-house staff survey in 2012 showed morale very low among staff (Senior Management team got a 30% approval rating), so even union-protected workers find the politics miserable. 
   
In addition- library work entails being the verbal, and sometimes actual, punching bag of stressed-out NYC residents. Even NYPL staff that used to work on the NYC and Brooklyn police force are appalled at the violence and threats often hurled at library staff by patrons looking to bully. Staff often deal with abuse by perpetuating it in the workplace at the expense of other employees.
   
In an economy where Library Science is now an over saturated field, don't get yourself stuck in a nightmare job like this. I hope your luck is better than mine was.

A public library is a busy place serving people who need assistance in basic life skills, as well as providing wide range of free programs. A children' s librarian's day is constant planning, preparing, executing and reporting programs offered to different age range of children as well as outreach activities to local schools and daycare facilities.
Helping people and being appreciated is the best part of the job, while having enough time for preparation and dealing with difficult customers are the hardest part of the job. 
Library coworkers are generally cooperative and the atmosphere is to help with each other, rather than compete. 
As a large organization, communication within the organization is always a challenge, but current management is addressing the issue and improvements have been made. Overall, it is a good environment to work and have chances learn more and improve yourself.

I say the best thing about working in the Library is that you leave your work at work. The majority of your day to day life depends on your customer service level and it involvs a lot of patience (especially when it comes to certain patrons). You are expected to be  diplomatic no matter how sour a situation may go. You work with an eclectic group of people so you are likely to meet some very interesting people. Most importantly, the library does not tolerate tardiness or any sense of bad schedule keeping so you have to shape up with no wiggle room of that. A typical day is working front desk time with customers and keeping with all paperwork on the back end such as books by mail, corresponding through email, book management such as deletions, and assuring books on reserve are placed properly in bins to go out or shelves for pickup. Things are always changing in the library so you always have the opportunity to go to trainings to add more padding to your resume. Every branch has different management levels so it's a hit or miss with you may get.

You have to deal with every conceivable situation that might arise in NYC, and they don't provide you with effective security, nor even enough staff to properly cover information desks and back each other up. You're expected to deal with junkies and drunks and people with severe mental illness screaming at you about their library fines.

All of that makes it a little difficult to get excited about your programs and the difference you're making in the community. You do have good job security, and some of your coworkers will be nice, but there are other coworkers who have been in the same clerical position for 30 years and hate everyone. If you get hired in the branches, you're probably not getting out of the branches, as much as everyone wants to work in the "main library" at 42nd Street. If you stay for five or ten years, you might get promoted to a manager position, but only if you find a manager who likes you and makes you second in charge first.

My supervisor gives me good daily feedback and suggestions on my lesson plans and never is condescending. This is light years away by comparison - from my other teaching jobs where you feel like you're alone. I feel like I'm advancing as an adult ESOL teacher at NYPL. I have collaborated with other co-workers and observed them for ideas. Staff, students, and supervisors are friendly and professional. The pay is great but we have a whole month in between cycles without work. I can't always make the meeting between cycles because it's in the morning and conflicts with another job but I wish I could. Getting a good amount of hours is hard but this is just a good part-time job anyway. I'd definitely recommend this job because it's the best I've ever had and I can't believe I'm lucky enough to work for such a prestigious organization as NYPL.

Typical day in the New York Public Library was interesting(good or bad). When i first started, i was shelving about 300-400 books a day. If a patron would need help looking for a book, i was there to assist if they needed me. After a couple of months, i was promoted to a front desk liaison. I was much like a front desk clerk. Answered and redirected phone calls, answered and assisted in any inquiries about the computers and assisted in the 2-hour computer classes. Management made it very clear that it was very important to make sure that we were helpful and respectful to all the patrons. No matter how rude they may have been. The hardest part of this job was seeing my paycheck every two weeks and the most enjoyable part of this job would be the knowledge i gained from the computer classes i assisted in. They helped me with some of my computer classes at school. I've learned how to improve my communication skills and how to work in a fast paced environment.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Library page 53 salaries reported	$16.94 per hour
Librarian 24 salaries reported	$72,243 per year
Library assistant 23 salaries reported	$45,814 per year
Tutor 12 salaries reported	$21.17 per hour
Senior librarian 4 salaries reported	$70,393 per year

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