The silence of the vacated library allows Faulkner time for self-reflection and increased diligence in completing his work, he said.
Only two months into the job, Faulkner says he has found a trusty group of comrades in the other custodians, who he meets during late-night break periods to talk and laugh. Faulkner said he hopes to spend more time with them outside of work since it's hard to share quality time during working hours.
"I like seeing all the people here because it's nice to just have someone to say hello to every now and then," Faulkner said.
The opportunity to interact with his fellow custodians, students and faculty is something Faulkner didn't have at his last job, where he shipped and packed parts for planes and spacecrafts on an assembly line at Tinken Aerospace in Lebanon. He said that the change in atmosphere to a more social environment has greatly improved his lifestyle.
"It's something that I enjoy, and I like being around everyone I work with," Faulkner said. "It's nice to know people appreciate what I do."
Faulkner said that thank-yous from students make the job enjoyable.
After a 40-minute commute from home, Faulkner's shift begins at 10 p.m. The first stop is Novack, where he checks in with the other custodians to help divide the night's duties. Then, starting with the Baker stairs leading to the reserves, Faulkner sweeps and mops the length of the library's main entrance, emptying garbage bins along the way. He then works on the first floor until the Berry gates close at 2 a.m., when the floor-cleaning machines are released. Vacuuming and restroom work occupy much of the remaining time.
When asked what kinds of difficulties face Dartmouth's custodial staff, Faulkner chuckled then shrugged, saying, "I have no complaints."
A New Hampshire native, Faulkner, 50, grew up in the small town of Swanzey and currently resides in Grafton with his wife, his 24-year-old stepson and two dogs. His rural upbringing instilled in him a passion for the outdoors that he still enjoys today.
"I like to spend time hunting," Faulkner said.
Faulkner described an opportunity he had to see a bear within 30 yards of him. "Seeing all the other animals is cool. It's just the idea of being outside and walking around in the woods."
In 10 years, Faulkner plans to settle down in a quiet North Carolina retirement community, where he can still pursue his love of the outdoors.
"I'll be going to the smoky mountains of Tennessee where I can do some hiking and traveling around," Faulkner said. "I would like to do some traveling outside the country too. Europe -- that would be awesome."
In the coming weeks, Faulkner hopes to meet custodial staff and more students from other parts of the campus as well as explore the Hanover area and attend college sports events, he said.
Faulkner said he especially wants to visit Shattuck Observatory on a starry night, "just to look up into space and see what's up there."
