Jersey City Library Staff Air Complaints as Director Retires

The next time you walk into the Jersey City Free Public Library’s main branch on Jersey Avenue, the person at the desk might be tired. Not from late shifts, but from something heavier — a workplace they say has grown chaotic and unfair.

As Director Terry Hill prepares to retire next month, nine current and former library staffers have come forward to the Jersey City Times with a blunt message: community engagement is up, but behind the scenes, morale is shot.

They describe dysfunction, favoritism, and personnel practices that have left longtime employees feeling undervalued and burned out. The interviews paint a picture of an institution struggling to hold itself together even as its programs flourish.

What’s happening

The library has seen real growth under Hill. More programs, more foot traffic, more partnerships. But the people who run those programs — the librarians, clerks, and aides — say the work environment has soured.

Staffers told the Times that promotions and assignments often went to those with personal connections rather than qualifications. They described decisions made without explanation, sudden changes in duties, and a sense that speaking up would put a target on your back.

No one wanted to go on the record with their full name. That’s telling in itself. They fear retaliation even as their boss prepares to leave.

The background

Terry Hill took over the library in 2016. During his tenure, the library system expanded hours, launched new literacy initiatives, and became a go-to spot for job seekers and kids after school. By many public metrics, the library is thriving.

But that success came with a cost. Employees say the pressure to deliver more, faster, has never been matched by an investment in the people doing the work. Staffing shortages are a constant complaint. When someone leaves, their workload gets distributed to the rest — no extra pay, no thanks.

This isn’t the first time the library has faced internal turmoil. A few years back, there were grumblings about overtime and scheduling fairness. But never has it been this organized, with nine employees stepping forward to talk to the press.

What it means for Hudson County

You might think an internal mess at the library doesn’t affect you. But the library is more than books. It’s a place where kids get homework help, where seniors learn to use email, where newly arrived families find English classes. When staff are stretched thin and demoralized, those services suffer.

You might notice longer waits at the information desk, or a program that gets canceled at the last minute. Or the clerk who used to help you print your boarding pass now gives one-word answers because they’re just trying to survive the shift.

The library board and the city have a chance here. A director transition is the perfect moment to reset workplace culture. New leadership could mean new policies, more transparency, and a real effort to rebuild trust.

What people are saying

Hill himself was not available for comment for this story, but he has said in the past that he’s proud of the library’s growth and its role in the community. The board, which oversees the library, has not issued a formal statement yet.

One staffer, speaking anonymously, put it this way: “We love the library. We love serving the public. But we need leadership that respects us, not just numbers that look good in a report.”

Another said the favoritism isn’t just about who gets the best shifts — it’s about who gets heard. “If you’re not in the inner circle, your concerns go nowhere.”

What comes next

The library board is expected to name an interim director in the coming weeks. A national search for a permanent replacement is likely.

Residents who care about the library — and the people who make it run — should attend the next board meeting. Public comment is usually allowed. You can also write to the mayor’s office and your city council representatives.

The library has long been a pillar of this city. With the right leadership, it can stay that way. But that starts with listening to the people at the circulation desks and, too often, being told to smile while their concerns get ignored.