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Robert Szabo, Jayhawk of the Month for November 2010

According to September Jayhawk of the Month winner Mary Ann Baker, a query to student assistants and colleagues about Robert Szabo results in an embarrassment of accolades, such as “the best boss ever” and “a wonderful colleague to work with.”

“All I have to do is send A simple e-mail with just a subject line of ‘call me’ and my phone number results almost immediately with a phone call,” Mary Ann said.

Szabo, who is Operations Coordinator/Access Services Supervisor of Anschutz Library, maintains a good customer service environment at the service desk and keeps the building up and running by working with IT and Facilities & Operations.

“A feeling of community and camaraderie is engendered within the library system with a game played on the field when it comes to Robert,” Mary Ann said. “When asked a question, he doesn’t just direct you to the answer but takes you there.'

“A snafu about a trip-saver delivery is untangled, a sensitive situation arises and help is there, a need to support library governance is fulfilled again… and again… and again, and all of this is done with a wonderful wit and a great smile,” Mary Ann said. “We in the KU Libraries are all the much better for working with this Jayhawk of the Month, Robert Szabo.”

Jill Becker presents Robert Szabo with the Jayhawk of the Month award on behalf of Mary Ann Baker.