Pros
At this point, the New York Public Library is coasting on its reputation. In fact, that has been the case for several years now. An institution that one could once say they were proud to work for is now managed by incompetents, driven by numbers rather than genuine impact, & so far adrift from its core mission that only a shadow of its once great standing in the world of public libraries remains.
Cons
I used to feel great about working here. I really did. However, in around 2008, the library really began to lose its way. As true library professionals left, retired, or were forced out, the library's direction was gradually & dramatically re-routed by lawyers, MBAs, strategists & IT-types. Detached from our true mission, they were driven more by numbers & the bottom line. As the years have passed, I saw more good people let go. I see departments shuffled around haphazardly. Take for example our ILS department. In our profession, the system that controls circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, & so many other core functions of a library has been passed around like a hot potato for years. A team of nearly a dozen was combined when our branch & research libraries merged systems some years ago. Then they were moved out to Queens. Then some of them were moved to IT. Some more were then moved into our virtual reference team. Then another was moved to IT. Then someone was foolishly let go. Then they were moved again. under our Digital team. Then someone else left. Then they were moved again. I've heard their staff cannot even attend the annual professional conference, which is so crucial to the operation of our system, let alone our library - what good our we without a voice at that table? Meanwhile, the wrong people are promoted. Sycophants, Those who lack vision. Those detached from the daily rigors of work in our branches.