There can also be very little work/life balance for public facing staff, which is tough if you have a life outside of your job or a family

I spent over a decade working the adult reference desk in public libraries. It is not for the faint of heart. Parts of it were wonderful and filled my soul with pride that I was helping everyday. Parts of it were so traumatic that you wanted to kill anyone who thought you “just got to read all day!”

As a public librarian, probably not.

Low wages
Tough hours (nights/weekends year round)
Student loans
Toxic/inept administration
Consistent need to justify your existence or advanced education to do your job
Dangerous patrons
Violence, neglect, despondency
Patrons and staff trauma dumping