Pros
-No hard-sells because it's non-profit! -Fewer upset customers than for-profit -Pages interact with the public very little -No working after-hours because the job is 100% on-site! -Interview is straightforward -Training is paid and isn't over until you feel ready -Each person works separately, but not alone -Multiple ways to fix mistakes makes for low-pressure job -Pages can train for the next higher position while keeping page shifts -**Written Directions Available For Nearly Everything! With Pictures!** -Rules are communicated kindly with logical reasons -Management and Mentors check in with you so you can ask questions and point out issues, but also trust you to know what you're doing -**We Were Paid During Lockdown Without Coming In!** -Half-day shifts are normal, only some people work 8 hour days -Keep track of your hours without punching in! -Management and coworkers are encouraging and acknowledge your progress! -Many staff members have colored hair/tattoos -Even positions that mostly sit at a desk have reasons to stand up and walk around once in a while, so you get a little bit of exercise and a little break from the screen, maybe a chance to drink some water -Most staff meetings are on Sundays, so it's more likely you have time to attend -Many staff meetings are paid, as they're counted as hours on the job -Earliest shifts for pages and customer service is 8:30am
Cons
Less of a Con and more of something to consider before applying: -Employees are required to work occasionally at other branches, which can be out-of-the-way depending on where you live -Modern public libraries do not enforce quietness, and the children's section in particular is part-library, part-playground. A certain level of noise is expected and not considered problematic. -Most staff, but especially pages, do quite a bit of bending, kneeling/crouching, reaching, and carrying medium items, and shelving in the children's section absolutely counts as a leg workout -If you're looking forward to wearing sweaters to your library job, make sure to wear a breathable short-sleeved shirt underneath, as some shifts can keep you moving enough to get overly warm