Saskatoon Public Library Reviews

Sure sure, everyone loves the public library and theoretically what they stand for. Who doesn't love giving free books to excited children, or helping seniors email their grandchildren? I have worked at SPL twice, 2013-2014 and again 2020-2021. Before, it was the best job I've ever had that inspired me to move away from home, go into debt and pursue a Masters degree. After? I can't believe that this is the same organization that I used to love. The corporatization of public libraries has been an issue across the board, but it stands out so badly in a smaller public library system. Staff can't "innovate" because the internal processes for trying new ideas are too hierarchical, and an unresponsive system can't and won't reflect the needs of the community. Everything needs to be approved, and examined, and re-approved, and then brought to the managers, and then thought about, and then start again, and this is why it takes forever to get anything done. A nice cushy city job, that will inevitably burn anyone out who is coming with fresh ideas and wanting to expand partnerships. Recommend to a friend? I wouldn't recommend to an enemy.

Staff surveillance is a thing here…emails are actively monitored and they use security cameras at both the front at back entrances of main branch to check when staff arrive or leave. They pretend cameras are for security but it is more than that the past few months....positively Orwellian and you don't dare be a minute late from a lunch break. Lots of mystery vanishing acts lately... Leaders targeted for removal are put ‘under investigation’ in most antagonistic and taxing ways possible, usually have to take a leave or are forced to take a leave, then a few weeks/months later a terse email is sent to all staff saying so & so doesn’t work for the library-effective immediately. This has happened over and over and over. It’s scary. Sad to see widespread ineptitude at all levels of the library in terms of wasting Public funds. Directots spout trendy terminology and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on third party consultants, but these are for optics more than anything. One consultant I know outside of work told me that they were shocked at the overall ignorance of the directors. Promotions are few and far between.