After providing 26 years of secretarial support at the Yeary Library at Laredo Community College, Rachel Bohmfalk has accomplished a special goal in life, lifting her from the ranks of administrative assistant to that of librarian.
Sitting behind the library’s reference desk, Bohmfalk looks like a seasoned pro as students approach her for guidance and information. One would never guess that she barely has completed three months’ experience as a full-time librarian.
“I really am enjoying the opportunity to assist students with any
questions they might have about the library’s resources,” Bohmfalk said.
Still, Bohmfalk is called upon for help on issues relating to her former role at the library. She fields several phone calls from staff seeking her knowledge on a clerical query.
Bohmfalk doesn’t mind. She enjoys her job at the library. It’s the place where she’s dedicated almost three decades of service.
Her fondness for the library began in 1976, when she was hired as a secretary for the college library.
But shortly after giving birth to her first child, Bohmfalk decided to resign from her job.
Her former job at the college library became vacant again in 1980. She applied and was re-hired as a secretary.
From thereon, she has stayed onboard at the library. In the late 1980s, Bohmfalk was promoted to administrative assistant, as were other secretaries on campus. And, she has had the opportunity to work under the administration of five library directors.
Bohmfalk, who holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, never thought much about advancing her career early on in her life.
“I knew there was something else out there for me, but I just never gave much thought to my future career plans,” Bohmfalk said. “I became familiar with all aspects of the library, and subsequently became very comfortable working in this environment.”
Naturally, Bohmfalk knew she had to advance her education to advance her career.
“Let’s say I knew a little bit about a lot of things in the library,” she explained.
In 2001, Bohmfalk attended a local presentation featuring the dean of the School of Library and Information Sciences from the University of North Texas in Denton. There, she learned about new technology that would allow her to study for her master’s degree without leaving Laredo and her job at the LCC library.
“I discovered that I could work on my graduate studies completely online,” Bohmfalk said.
She said that when she began her online studies in the summer of 2002, she was “petrified.”
“But it soon became something I looked forward to doing,” Bohmfalk said.
She decided not to enroll in online classes during the fall terms of 2002 and 2004 for personal reasons, but as time progressed, she began to take more online classes.
Bohmfalk fulfilled a special milestone in August, when she received a Master of Science Degree in Library Science from UNT.
Like clockwork, an opening for a full-time librarian became available at the Yeary Library. She applied and was hired this fall.
Bohmfalk works primarily in circulation and periodicals, and offers bibliographic instruction to faculty and students as needed. She hopes to outreach more faculty members so that they in turn can encourage more students to utilize the library’s services.
“My new job as librarian is certainly different from my former position, but I’m learning, and I feel great in my new role at the LCC library,” the 57-year-old said.
Bohmfalk proves it’s never too late to continue your education.
Registration for the spring 2006 semester at Laredo Community College continues via the college’s On Line Enrollment (OLÉ) system online at http://ole.laredo.edu. The system is accessible from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Check out the spring course schedule online at www.laredo.edu. For more information, call 721-5109 or 794-4110.
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