Each year, Harvard University recognizes the dedication and professionalism of individual employees and teams of workers by designating Harvard Heroes. Harvard Heroes are employees of the Central Administration, which includes HUL, as well as the John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.
A total of seven members of Harvard’s library community—two individuals and one team of five—were honored as Harvard Heroes in a June 11 ceremony led by President Drew Gilpin Faust in which individuals and teams were formally cited for their work.
Ernesto Santiago
Courier, Harvard Depository—Harvard University Library
“Ernesto Santiago, you are universally adored by your clients. You bring great humor and a positive attitude to your work as courier for the Harvard Depository. You are a one-man quality-improvement program, fine-tuning all aspects of the courier routine. Your persistence and proactivity are an example to all. Neither rain, nor snow, nor electrical fire can keep you from delivering excellent service.”
Maureen Jennings
Archivist and Librarian, University Planning Office
“Maureen Jennings, as archivist and librarian for the University Planning Office (UPO), you bring vision and professionalism to everything you do, whether updating the online cataloging system, creating a departmental newsletter, or staying up to date on the cutting edge of archival practices. Under your leadership, UPO’s Property Information Resource Center has evolved from a simple repository to an invaluable tool.”
Library Collections Emergency Team (LCET)
Representatives in HUL’s Weissman Preservation Center—Harvard University Library:
Pamela Spitzmueller
James Needham Chief Conservator for Special Collections in the University Library and the College Library
Debra Cuoco
Paper Conservator
Heather Hamilton
Special Collections Conservator
Heather Hendry
Special Collections Conservator
Theresa Smith
Special Collections Conservator
“In 1613, The King’s Players of London staged a play called Cardenio, co-written by a popular local actor and playwright named William Shakespeare. You’ve never seen it because sometime shortly thereafter, it disappeared. Forever.
“When a document of historical significance is lost or damaged beyond repair, we all lose an irreplaceable part of our human heritage—to say nothing of its financial value.
“Here at Harvard, we are fortunate to be the custodians of a large number of rare and unique books, manuscripts, and priceless works of art. And earlier this year, we discovered how equally fortunate we are to have an extraordinary team of professionals on staff to safeguard the irreplaceable records of our human heritage.
“Last March, in the wake of torrential rains, a sudden and unexpected leak caused flooding in Pusey Library, home to a part of Houghton Library’s collections. Houghton holds materials ranging from centuries-old manuscripts, rare books, and pamphlets to original maps, drawings, prints, and musical scores. By the time the leak was discovered, the water was three inches deep in some places.
“Within ten minutes, Heather Hendry, a member of the Library Collections Emergency Team, was on the scene to coordinate the rescue of the priceless works. Soon, four other members of this emergency response team of conservators and preservation specialists joined her. With the unflagging help of a great number of their colleagues from Harvard College Library, they worked through the night to move affected materials out of drawers, off of shelves, and into spaces where they could be air-dried. Because of their efforts, almost no irreversible damage was done to our valued collections. Their prompt, well-orchestrated, and professional response saved some of the University’s greatest assets . . . for us and for future generations.”
The University-wide, 19-member Library Collections Emergency Team (LCET) has been called on repeatedly at all hours of the day and night whenever a physical plant failure or weather emergency damages the University’s library collections. For more information on the LCET, visit http://preserve.harvard.edu/emergencies.