Harvey Fineberg, age 77, passed away on September 29, 2024. Harvey worked in the University Libraries for 44 years as a Library Clerk I. In this capacity, Harvey knew everything about the collections in Lockwood Library and could find any material that was in the building, even if not on the shelf in its proper place. After his retirement, he continued supporting the Libraries as a volunteer until 2016.
In 2013 the Libraries created a peer-recognition award called the “Rock Solid Award,” internally known as “The Harvey,” as Harvey was its first recipient. This award celebrates the efforts and dedication of a Library staff member whose reliability, initiative, disposition, and quality of work has contributed to the betterment of the workplace and to the University Libraries as a whole. Harvey epitomized these qualities every day during his long tenure at Lockwood Memorial Library.
Colleagues remember Harvey being willing to “put his money where his mouth was” by placing friendly wagers on various sports. Harvey also achieved a place of honor in line for any food-related events in the library. You could count on him to arrive in time to be first in line at the various potluck gatherings and birthday and holiday celebrations. In addition, Harvey knew when scheduled fire drills were coming and gave the early arrivers to the library a heads up to be ready to evacuate the building.
Harvey loved coming to work every day. He enjoyed chatting with colleagues about the Bills, helping himself to the free snacks set out in the staff-only areas of Lockwood, and consistently proving that no volumes were ever missing when he was on the job.
Harvey is survived by nephews Benjamin Noznisky, Angelo M. Fineberg, Stephen Fineberg and Daniel Fine along with sister-in-law Alba Fineberg.