Many of us know Paul Whiting, a familiar face at Lockwood Memorial Library since 2018, but did you know that this past year he took on a new challenge, stepping into the role of resource sharing manager?
In this position, Paul collaborates with the resource sharing team to help faculty, staff, researchers, and students access materials the library doesn’t currently own. From processing requests and troubleshooting tricky cases to working with SUNY staff to expand resource-sharing networks, Paul thrives on the variety and complexity of the work. “I enjoy supervising the resource sharing staff and collaborating with colleagues on projects, but I still have much to learn,” he said.
A native of Greece, New York, Paul’s academic journey began at SUNY Brockport, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history. Nearly a decade later, he returned to Brockport to pursue a master’s degree in education and human development. After gaining experience through student teaching and substitute teaching, Paul realized teaching wasn’t his calling. This prompted him to shift gears and pursue a master’s degree in library science at UB.
Before joining UB, Paul spent four years at Nazareth College—now Nazareth University—in Rochester as the evening circulation supervisor. Although he valued his time there, the role left little room for growth beyond basic circulation tasks. When a position opened at UB’s Lockwood Library as the evening supervisor, Paul saw it as the perfect opportunity to expand his skills.
“There are so many different kinds of opportunities here,” Paul shared, reflecting on UB’s dynamic environment. “It’s nice to be involved in various aspects of the library and develop different skills.”
Paul’s previous roles at UB include managing Lockwood Library’s user experience and information desk, in addition to serving as evening supervisor. These experiences have given him a well-rounded understanding of the library’s operations. “There are a lot of great people throughout the libraries,” he said. “I enjoy getting to work and chat with so many, whether I see them regularly or less frequently.”
Outside of work, Paul enjoys spending time outdoors, especially at the beach, and loves golfing, traveling, and reading—particularly about science and history. While he may not be Buffalo’s biggest sports fan (sorry, Bills and Sabres fans!), he has a soft spot for baseball and soccer. His musical tastes are eclectic, but classical remains his favorite genre.
Paul is excited about the future at UB and looks forward to growing both professionally and personally in the library’s ever-evolving environment.