1. Name of Nominee(s): Robert De Niro

7. Which award area are you nominating this individual or team for?    You may check more than one award area.

___ Innovation and Creativity
___ Communication and Collaboration
_x_ Results, Outcome, and Productivity
___ Community

8. Describe the nominees' contribution, and how, specifically, this work relates to the criteria and descriptions of this award. If you checked off more than one award area above, please comment specifically on contributions in each award area checked off.

For part of 2002 and all of 2003, [library] did not have a full-time resident librarian. For many users, Robert was the face of [library]. He maintained the excellent service reputation that [library] had, while still retaining his commitment to committee work both within the MIT Libraries and MIT as a whole. Also, a substantial storage project was carried out in [library] during 2003 to provide much needed space in the journal and monograph collections. Robert stored over 800 monographs, 100 serial volumes, and over 200 journal volumes while he performed his normal circulation, student supervisory, and processing duties. Though he could rely on the Acting Librarian for help with reference questions, he was the first point of contact for most users.

Here are some of the comments I have received from [library] users about Robert's service.

"About a month ago I mentioned that there is an excellent person in [library], Robert, who is very knowledgeable, helpful and patient. Part of my job involves going on expeditions to [library], tracking down articles in sometimes very old journals. When I've had trouble locating them Robert has always helped me find the answer. Probably others here have told you about him but I just wanted to reiterate what I'm sure has been said previously. [From a staff member of the ___ Department.]

"Robert makes a huge difference in the lives of me and my research group by being a very dedicated librarian. Robert can find anything in the library system and if we don't have it he knows how to get it quickly. We rely on Robert to get us obscure or rare publications and in this day and age of reduced library budgets this is really important to our research. In addition Robert has been a great help to students in my undergraduate classes who have to write research papers. Robert is always friendly and helpful and we in [ ___ Department] are incredibly lucky to have him in our library. Many visitors to my lab who have had occasion to have Robert help them have remarked to me how lucky we are to have someone with his dedication." [From a professor.]

"I couldn't navigate the [library], as well as I do, without his help.

Robert goes out of his way to help me with requests for obscure articles and journals that are requested from the Professors I work for. I receive the documents in a timely manner.

Most of the requests I ask for are 'last minute' and Robert has never let me down." [From an MIT Department staff member.]

I have observed Robert's interactions with graduate students, postdocs, and visiting scholars several times. They greet him warmly and respect his knowledge. He always manages to serve their needs while working on his other responsibilities. Circulation problems and preparations for materials storage both require detailed knowledge and focus. Robert strongly exhibits an ability to do this work yet accommodate the many requests at the public services desk.

I am really amazed that Robert has accomplished so much in service on the Circulation Committee, MIT Working Group on Support Staff Issues, and Simmons Alumni Committee all during a transitional stage in [library] leadership. All I can say is that Robert De Niro richly deserves the Infinite Mile Award for outstanding service to users during a long transitional period in [library].

9. Was this contribution for a one-time/ad-hoc activity, or has this effort been continuous?

___ One-Time/Ad-hoc effort
_x_ Continuous/Ongoing effort

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