Jorge Perez To Retire After More Than 36 Years At North Campus Library

An irreplaceable void will be felt at the North Campus library when Jorge Perez, an associate instructor for learning resources, retires after more than 36 years of service.

Perez’s last day in the office will be Dec. 19.   

“He was more than just a great, calming presence at work,” said Stephanie Garcia, associate instructor for learning resources at the library. “He also brightened up the room, especially with his singing.”

In 1980, Perez made his way to Miami from Cuba when he was 23 years old through the Mariel Boatlift, a mass emigration of Cubans in search of political freedom and economic opportunity.

Here, he reconnected with his uncle who had previously escaped Cuba. His uncle gave him a chance to get on his feet. Perez’s first job was working in the kitchen at McDonald’s for four months.

On May 4, 1981, Perez got his first job working at the North Campus library, starting in library technical services as a clerk, where he was in charge of sorting through information cards and keeping information in order.

Having studied library sciences in Cuba at the University of Havana, he describes working in a library as a passion that got fulfilled at Miami Dade College.

“It was an amazing day for me, being able to finally have a chance at working a job I cared about so much,” Perez said. “It also has helped me learn so much. I’m just really grateful for it all and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this campus’ growth.”

Today, Perez helps students check out materials and assists them with getting resources so they can do their research. He also helps the library faculty order new books.

“After 28 years working with him, he always continued to be an amazing colleague and just a fantastic human being,” said Devi Singh, an instructing assistant for the library. “Whenever we would interact, he would always do his best to help everyone around him out.”

To his coworkers, Perez, 60, was more than just a helping hand. He brightened everyone’s day, whether it was through his love of history, his jokes, his attire or the songs he sings to himself.

Perez developed his love of music at the age of 10 when he watched the Festival Internacional de la Canción de Varadero, a music festival where artists from multiple countries perform on television, and fell in love with the music of Eastern Europe and Italy, since many of their musicians performed at the festival.

“Each day was always a pleasure working with him,” Garcia said. “You never know what it would be, but he always found a way to brighten your day by just being himself.”

One of the ways Perez would make others happy would be with history.

“There were so many instances of him talking about history that it’s hard to pinpoint one,” Garcia said. “You can tell by the way he spoke that this was a subject that he loved learning about and was always happy to share his knowledge with others, even if it was for just a second.”

His love for history comes from his desire to learn more about the past and his fascination with other cultures, mainly Europe.

“I always found it great to learn about other cultures and history, particularly ancient Rome and the renaissance,” Perez said. “There’s something great about diving into the history of a country or region and I feel that by listening to the music. I get a deeper understanding of the culture that I can’t get through just reading books.”

During retirement, Perez says he plans to take it one day at a time, enjoying his free time by doing what he loves most, relaxing while listening to his favorite musicians, like Italian artist Mina, and spending time with close friends and family.

“When I worked in the library, I never took any day for granted,” Perez said. “I wanted to enjoy each day to its fullest and that’s how I want to treat my retirement too.”  

Perez also hopes to continue traveling to Cuba to visit his mother and finally visit Italy.

“I don’t like to pay too much attention on myself. I like being humble and just enjoying the opportunities I have. I’ve been given such a great chance to work here for so long, why wouldn’t I love it?” Perez said. “After 36 years, this campus has grown so much and the students here have accomplished so much. I’m lucky to not only watch it grow the way it has, but be a part of the growth too.”