Maurice Carter.
Maurice Carter is a head of the receiving and warehousing unit in the Logistics Services Division of Integrated Support Services. He’s kept the Library’s shipping docks open during the COVID pandemic.
Tell us a little about your background.
I was born in a small town called Lottsburg, Virginia, and attended Northumberland High School. Before coming to the Library in 1992, I worked for a freight company called Roadway Express. A relative was working at the Library, and he always talked about how great it was to work here. So, I applied for a warehouse position and got the job.
Describe a typical day.
A typical day begins with a safety briefing for staff. After that, my team lead and I review FAME — the Library’s integrated facility-management system — to see what jobs we are going to complete for the day. Staff enter requests into FAME for tasks such as removing excess computers or furniture, replacing carpets and delivering recycling and moving bins. We also help with relocating staff; moving copyright materials to off-site storage; and transporting books, newspapers and supplies from the loading dock to the Jefferson and Adams building and different divisions.
Our loading dock and transport staff carry out all duties on the dock, such as preparing recycle material for pickup by an outside vendor.
Some of the requests we receive require staff to use materials-handling equipment to transport materials or read blueprints — for carpet installation and relocation of staff, for example. Staff also use special equipment to remove furniture and computers and send them to our Cabin Branch facility for storage or disposal.
Once we decide on what jobs need to be done, we distribute work to different staff members for completion.
How has your work changed during the pandemic?
I worked in the Madison Building with a small crew from early on in the pandemic to keep the loading dock open, starting during the period of maximum telework.
Otherwise, work in my division has slowed down somewhat, as fewer FAME requests are being put into the system now. Many staff from other divisions are teleworking, so there are not a whole lot of people on-site to put in FAME requests.
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
I have several accomplishments that I am proud of from my 28 years of work at the Library. But my proudest is helping to transport the 1507 Waldseemüller world map from the Madison Building’s loading dock to the Jefferson Building for display in the Great Hall. This transport included using seven U.S. Capitol Hill Police officers for escort and a 22-foot truck. Then, we had to have five staff members walk the map up the flight of stairs in the front of the Jefferson Building. Once we got the map upstairs, we had to uncrate it and place it in a display case in the Great Hall, where it now resides.
What do you enjoy doing outside work?
I like being with family, watching my kids play basketball and riding my Harley Davidson motorcycle.
What is something your co-workers may not know about you?
In 2002, I sang the national anthem at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the National Invitation Tournament. Over 20,000 people were present to see this championship basketball game.
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