Rachel Bohmfalk proves that it’s never too late to achieve your goals.
After
providing 26 years of secretarial support at the Yeary Library at Laredo
Community College, Bohmfalk has accomplished a special goal in life.
Now, she spends her days helping students as the periodical/circulation librarian.
“I really am enjoying the opportunity to assist students with any questions they might have about the library’s resources,” Bohmfalk said.
Bohmfalk has dedicated nearly three decades to the Yeary Library, beginning as a secretary in 1976. In the late 1980s, Bohmfalk was promoted to administrative assistant.
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.
As time progressed, she began to take more online classes. And last August, Bohmfalk fulfilled a special milestone 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 last 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.
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