I don't write much in depth about my library life besides occasional anecdotes about patrons. However, there are a lot of concerns, and they have been mounting over time.
First, I think I have mentioned that I hate the fact we're funded by extortion. It is possible to run a library district by means other than taxation, but no one seems to have the will to seek alternatives. The State is moral and just and right in the eyes of administrators.
In a recent board election, two new people who seem in favor of censorship were added to the roster in place of our former decent anti-censorship, fiscally-conservative incumbents.
Even more concerning, though, was the treatment of a friend from another library in our district. Earlier this year, he was fired. He told us about this right as we were doing our annual review of employment policies and procedures. They followed exactly none of the steps in the process outlined in the documents we review every single year. "The rules are for thee, but not for me," apparently. At least he was allowed to resign before the termination hearing, but the district administrators should have held that manager to the policy if it means anything.
Needless to say, my job satisfaction is plummeting and I am just tired. Motivation is declining despite finally seeing some light at the end of the COVID tunnel.
All of that is a preface to why I might be bitterly cynical about most of the materials we have. I feel like everything is crap, and the saccharine-sweet "Happily Ever After" stories are more fantasy than the books about elves or space aliens.
Maybe I'll snap out of it, but right now, I'm about ready to toss in the towel on librarianship. Hopefully I can make a future in the freer market of crypto and independent creative work.