library assistant

librarian

operations supervisor

library manager

operations technician

Timberland-Regional-Library

I really wanted to work with Timberland Regional Library, so I set my goal to work with this company. I was heartbroken when this company had to undergo budget cuts.
To get my foot into the door, my first position was a Courier. I delivered materials to all 27 libraries.  From there, I accepted the position of Library Aide at the Yelm Library, while still maintaining the position of a Courier.  This position introduced me to all aspects of the library.  Timberland Regional Library had wonderful opportunities to learn - I took courses on their company computer software, email, Customer Service or their Prepare Program, and reference training.  I left the Library Aide position to gain experience throughout the library, I accepted the Substitute positions of Library Aide, Library Assistant, and reference.  Through a co-worker, I was asked to help set up a new library. I had previous experience with Chehalis Library. I had the privilege to sort through a mass selection of books to determine what would be placed in the library.  I sorted the selected books by genre and Dewey Decimal System. I accepted  the position of Volunteer Coordinator. I maintained the library hours by filling/scheduling  volunteers to work the open library hours. I also help maintained the daily operation of the library. I assisted library patrons with their accounts, questions, work assistance, and computer needs and/or questions.

Western Washington has some of the most progressive and cutting edge library systems in the US.  TRL is not one of them.   I made the mistake of taking a position here after working as a reference librarian at a larger and more innovative library system, for less money but a manager title.  I regret this decision daily.  Firstly TRL recruits from all over and fires about 1/3 of the people who relocate over small things. Upper management is really toxic and wants yes-men above innovators.  Its like this whole system is digging its heels into the dirt to fight progress, which leads to sub par levels of service. The mentality is to get by rather than to excel. Most of the branches are staffed by part time paraprofessionals who work 25 hours or less, so they're not terribly invested in working harder or accepting change.  There are few systemwide policies on basic operations, so every branch is its own thing, and with a change resistant uninvested staff who want to coast by doing the bare minimum, fun ensues.  Avoid at all costs.

Working in the branch is ok, but is made extremely stressful by extremely poor management (admin and other managers). It feels good to help the few users we get. The library has a lot of potential to really help people that are struggling. But upper management is too busy being vindictive, petty, mean and micromanaging people that they get nothing done. They make a lot of empty promises to the public. Like trying to stay with the edi trend in 2020. yet they do nothing to try and make things better for their communities. The very way of having HRD remove names from applications before sending them on to the hiring manager goes against the very principle of Equity. They set unrealistic expectations and pressure on staff in the branches while the service center is a glorified golf club.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Serving the few users who comes in

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Any public library has the potential to serve the community. But there is such a disconnection between the library and the community. Because the administration keeps hiring and promoting people are exactly like them and those who will follow them without a thought or objection. Most organizations today aim for diversity, but not this one. All of administration and other managers are white cis-gender. They are very vindictive, petty and defensive. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Disengaged, toxic, resentful, 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Most staff goes in because it's a job and they need the pay. It is usually very suffocating and frustrating because admin is constantly making changes without the input of staff actually doing the work.

What is the best part of working at the company?
First access to newly added materials and availability to Reference staff professionals.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Meeting quotas in Processing department and shelving carts in branch libraries. Sometimes customer service to rude or angry patrons can be difficult as well.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Mostly professional with attention to detail oriented. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Empty outdoor and internal material return recepticals. Sanitize public computer terminals. Shelve books and audio-visual materials.  Provide appropriate customer service to patrons. Maintain orderly appearance of library.

I highly recommend Timberland Regional Library. Your opinions are valued coupled with great wages and benefits, that's why there are so many employees that remain employed until retirement. 20, 30, 40 + years, no joke. The bad would be the few whiny employees that don't know how good they have it! Most positions are through a union who also has your back. I tell you what's not to love! I intended to retire from TRL! If your looking for a place to plant your roots, seriously consider TRL. No Library experience required, unless it's a specific position, mostly they are looking for outgoing, great customer service, and dependable. If you have those traits you can move up the ladder if you choose to do so.

Timberland used to be a good place to work, but the current administration has destroyed that culture over the past five years. If you can keep your head down and not say anything accusatory (or even just the truth) to or about the admin, then the local coworkers and managers are great to work with.  Patrons/customers are appreciative. Oh, don't bother applying if your disability needs accommodations-- they don't know how to (i.e. won't) do that.  That being said, I have hope that it can get better under different leadership. I can't wait to go back once the current administration moves on.

Timberland has a leadership problem. As long as you feed the administration's egos you will be fine. Don't ask questions or get too attached to your community or you will be punished. I started working here before the current administration so know it can be the best and most rewarding job in the world. The current administration isn't looking for joy or creativity or even job satisfaction in their emolyees. You must follow their orders with no questions asked even if you can see it is to the detriment of the organization and the local tax payers. It's very sad! 

This library system is poorly managed. If you live outside of the state, do your research before coming here. I didn't and I used my savings to relocate. I resigned in a few months because I was never so micro-managed in my life. Administration/ snr management is made up of insecure people. They bully and use intimidation tactics. If you are looking for a progressive library system, this is not it. I had to get out or run the risk of becoming completely demoralized like the other branch managers.

They say they want an anti-racist work environment, but when things are brought to their attention they gaslight you. I had great coworkers at the branch level. My direct supervisors were also great, but they had little power and they also ended up leaving to get out of the toxic work environment. The pay rate also sucks. You will have a difficult time finding a place to live on a librarian’s salary. They also expect you to work above and beyond your position without paying you for the work that you do. I’m at a much better library system, and so much happier. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Library assistant 17 salaries reported	$28.78 per hour
Librarian 5 salaries reported	$33.37 per hour
Operations supervisor 2 salaries reported	$34.43 per hour
Library manager 6 salaries reported	$42.67 per hour
Operations technician 2 salaries reported	$29.06 per hour

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