Featured Staff Member: Jeff Gayton
What do you do at the library?
My title is Facility Manager, but that doesn’t really describe what I do. I’ve served on all of Memorial’s various management teams, so I have a hand (or at least a finger) in most of what’s going on in the library. I’m responsible for the physical building, which includes space management, remodeling, and of course, maintenance. I manage events in the lecture hall and Commons. I supervise the Shipping Department as well. It’s starting to sound more like a laundry list than a description of what I do, so I’ll stop now.
What is your specialty?
I’m a department of one and a jack-of-all trades, so I don’t have a specialty per se. If I were forced to name something, I’d say project management; it’s the part of the job that I like the most and that gives me the most satisfaction.
What brought you to your job at Memorial Library?
When I was in Graduate School, I shelved books or worked as a security officer whenever I wasn’t employed as a teaching assistant or lecturer by the Political Science Department. After graduation, I was pretty burned out on academia and was offered an LSA position that included working as night and weekend Circulation Supervisor. Soonafter that, I was approached by my predecessor, Dennis Hill, and asked if I was interested in becoming Facility Manager. The position sounded interesting, so I jumped at it. I’m glad I did.
What library resource or service would you like to recommend?
I’d recommend the newly-powered study halls – the East Asian Reading Room and the Petrovich Reading Room. Getting the grant from DoIT that made the project possible is the accomplishment I’m most proud of. It may not be glamorous, but it’s what our users tell us they want most.
What is something about you that few people know?
Personal or professionally? Professionally, it’s that I’m happy to assist any library on campus with facility-related issues.
Personally, it’s that I’m completely obsessed with owning a black on black Triumph TR4 with overdrive transmission and the rare Surrey Top option. One of the most beautiful cars of the era (1961-1964), and thankfully not very expensive, so with a bit of luck I’ll be able to own one someday.