circulation assistant

risk manager

assistant

agent de bibliothèque

technical coordinator

Greater-Victoria-Public-Library

Where do I even start. At the base level, working with colleagues and the public is fantastic. I get to see families and young folks building literacy skills every day and I love the folks I work with. The salary is decent considering the type of work (not very stressful). That's about where the "good" ends. 

I have experienced very little support from upper management. When I asked to have my pronouns on my name tag, I was first questioned, and then denied. When I had to leave work one day for mental health, I was explicitly told that sick days are only for physical illness. I have heard of other colleagues being challenged and asked inappropriate questions in regards to their health and taking sick days or time off for appointments. The lack of care, flexibility, compassion, and trust is astounding. I should also note that when "things go wrong," and employees have meetings with management, employees have been told to "keep things confidential," without any reasoning...almost as if the organization knows they are doing something wrong. Why are so many employees unhappy and trying to find work elsewhere? ..... It's the secrets and fishiness for me.

Moreover, GVPL is so focused on structure and rigidness that they lack any willingness to hear from employees across all levels of power for input on how to improve services FOR THE COMMUNITY. Any employees who are not in AT LEAST middle management never get the chance to provide input or feedback on how the organization can improve. While the organization is dedicated to the community, they lack any leadership internally for employees, let alone inclusive leadership. 

The last thing I need to forewarn folks about is that GVPL rarely promotes internally (unless going from auxiliary to permanent in the same position). Are you planning on doing courses or degrees in hopes of moving up in your career? Don't bother applying here if that's the case. GVPL wants employees to "go elsewhere" to "gain necessary experience" which ultimately means, because this is the only public library in Victoria, someone would have to MOVE out of the city, and then COME BACK to GVPL (which also means losing seniority). They are strict about this and I have been told to stop applying for higher level positions despite my education and experience. There is no willingness on GVPL's part to improve the lives of their employees or provide any professional development. Employee success is not valued, and overall, management has created a toxic culture of deceit that lacks communication and trust. 

There is something very wrong here.

For an institution that stands for creativity and betterment, GVPL is backwards and toxic. But management THINK they're fantastic.

Management is a mess. There's infighting, pettiness and disrespect. Poor decision making as a result. Bad management who think they are doing a great job and pat each other on the back. Who don't want to see or admit their staff are miserable and losing people in flocks. They have been so backward during COVID GVPL is months and months behind other library systems. They won't even use Zoom so staff who really want to do programs online and help library people more can't.

HR practices are years behind, decades behind. They manage top down and want you to tow the management line or else you are blacklisted. It's not a flexible work environment. Hardly any flexibility for appointments, days off. They ask inappropriate questions about why your medical appointment is taking so long.

They don't promote from within except in very specific cases. There's no movement for people who have gone back to school to improve. We've been told to leave the system to get experience elsewhere and then come back. "Leaving the system" would mean moving since it's the only library in the city.

The middle manager librarians also rule top down. They micromanage. They discourage people "beneath them" from asking questions. Suggestions are not welcome if you're not in the "right" position. Even if it's a valid question, I've heard you really shouldn't be asking that.

The library is supposed to be a place of creativity, safety, betterment and innovation. Greater Victoria Public Library might be that for the public but not for staff.

There is a lack of respect for professionals who are not librarians.

It used to be a pretty good place to work till management decided to slash and burn all the temps and part time people most of whom had been there over 10yrs. They have created an environment of mistrust and betrayal. Many of my coworkers are now actively looking for new jobs as well. They treat the lowest paid people like dirt there is no work life balance you must be ready to take whatever shift they offer that week. So many other better paying jobs and employers out there stay away from GVPL at all costs.

Overall, the GVPL is a great place to work. Wages/salaries depend on your job title and status. Most often, they hire auxiliaries to they don't need to pay benefits, probably more cost effective for them. If you like cataloguing, reading, books, helping people this is a great place to start out your career. Pushing aside the politics (and you can get get caught up in them, so best to not pay attention), the job culture is great. Everyone is helpful, branch staff work collaboratively.

GVPL has a phenomenal work culture, highly motivated people to work with and progressive leadership. GVPL provides amazing opportunity to be an integral part of the of a fun and talented team.

 Lots to learn, Great place to work.Good Support from staff. Union positions available. Employees are very enthusiastic about books. Supportive work place culture

I love being around books and helping people.  Good hours and pay. But union politics interfered too much.  Would have stayed if it wasn't for union. 

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Circulation assistant 3 salaries reported	$27.14 per hour
Risk manager 2 salaries reported	$103,631 per year
Assistant 2 salaries reported	$22.36 per hour
Agent de bibliothèque 1 salary reported	$40.43 per hour
Technical coordinator 1 salary reported	$51.06 per hour

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