Benny and the rest of the Facilities team (Gary and Deb) are responsible for making sure that anything addressed to the Library or Library staff gets where it’s going, that our phones work properly, and that the building is well maintained. Benny is also responsible for making sure that information about the buildings are communicated to Library staff. For example, he’ll notify staff when the elevators are down, in advance of a power outage, or if a particular building entrance will be inaccessible, etc. The variety of his work is what Benny enjoys most, he says that every day is a bit different and every job is a bit different. The summer is the busiest time for Benny, because with fewer people in the building it's easier to get bigger projects done (like shelf cleaning and taking shelves down).The main challenge Benny faces is that folks sometimes don’t understand when an issue is not a Facilities issue, because Facilities handles so much. In particular, Benny wanted people to know that even though Facilities and Library Technology are part of one department, he can’t help you with computer or systems problems.
Benny works with closely with Plant Operations to coordinate fixes that are beyond Facilities' staff ability or scope. He also ensures that contractors, such as elevator repair technicians or electricians, coming into the building know where they’re going and gives them the context they need to do their work. When it comes to the phones, Benny coordinates with IST to get new staff a phone number and make sure that they have a physical phone.
Benny is currently working on:
Getting the Libraries prepared for Return to Campus, and is working with Plant Operations to get plexiglass installed on the main circulation desks. Benny is also the lead contact between the electricians contracted to replace the end of life wiring in Dana Porter. This project is especially important because Dana Porter feeds power to buildings on the North Side of campus.
How you can help Benny out
There are two pretty simple ways you can help Benny out.
First, make sure you submit your information in a ticket to library.help@uwaterloo.ca. This makes sure that the problem is reported to everyone in Facilities. Sending a ticket will make sure that all Facilities staff can help - if you send an email to Benny directly and he's away or busy with another project you might end up waiting. Unless it’s an emergency, submitting a ticket is preferred over a phone call or drop-in. Tickets make it easier for Benny to prioritize his work and maintain focus (which can be hard your desk is the one right by the door!).
Second, make sure you provide as much information as possible about the issue. Benny needs to know what the problem is, what building it's in, and where in that building he should go. For example, if a light wasn’t functioning in a carrel, you might submit a ticket indicating that it was in the Davis Centre, Area 1505, Carrel 10. You can use the University floor plans site (login with your WatIAM), or the posted floor plans on each floor to get the more specific information.
Something fun about Benny
Benny started in the Library in 1988, and has spent more than half of his life in the Library (see if you can find him in this 2003 all Library staff photo). Benny says, “You can throw pretty well any question at me about the Library or about its personnel and I will be able to answer it...or know who to contact to get you an answer.” Benny describes himself as a very compassionate person whose friends and family come first. He’d do literally anything for his three daughters and he found it hard not being able to see them during the pandemic. Benny is overjoyed about being a grandfather to a wonderful little boy named Hudson. Of Hudson, he says, “His bright eyes and inquisitive nature just lights each and every day.”
