Pros
Librarians and the people on the front line were great EPL's purpose and mission is fantastic - equal access to knowledge is an important and noble cause EPL played an important role for vulnerable populations - felt good working at a place that had a positive impact on the community The rest of the library seemed okay, but marketing and communications was horrible Decent pay, good benefits, had a pension, had a union to protect you
Cons
The culture in the marketing and communications department was toxic. There was constant staff turnover, and I was no exception. I saw 3 people plus myself leave in the span of a year (the department was less than 20 people) , and other longer term employees were involved in union disputes - all of it was due to management. The higher level directors and execs seemed okay, if a bit disconnected, but the manager I reported to was something else. For example: I planned a big training event - it took me weeks and it was one of my first major projects. We had lunch brought in for the training. It went super smoothly and I was very proud. I got called in the next day to get a dressing down over the fact that I forgot to bring napkins in, and how that means I am not detail oriented and can't be counted on. That was the only feedback I got on my first project that went without a hitch - freakin' napkins. I have never been so miserable at a job and been made to feel more terrible about myself and my abilities. It took me months to regain my confidence after leaving that place.
