Spotlight
Padilla
has passion for library, family
By Dan
Ware
When
Pauline Padilla walked into the Carnegie Public Library in Las
Vegas, NM, almost 20 years ago, she had a feeling she belonged.
She was looking for a job after graduating from Las Vegas Robertson
High School, but before long, knew a career had been found.
In July,
Padilla celebrated 16 years as staff in the UNM General Library.
There is
a definite sparkle in Padillas eyes as she talks about
two things her kids and her job. You can tell just by
talking to her that shes proud of them both and her enthusiasm
and dedication seems to have no bounds.
Shortly
after earning a B.A. in Library Science at New Mexico Highlands
University in Las Vegas, Padilla went to work at UNMs
Parish Library part time while she raised her children, daughter
Michelle, and son, Michael.
After six
years at Parish, she accepted a full-time position at Zimmerman
Library working with the interlibrary loan program. Eventually,
she transferred to the Centennial Science and Engineering Library,
where she has been for the last four years in the document delivery
service as a Library Information Specialist.
Padilla
takes great pride in providing information for library patrons,
as well as organizations outside the university who need documents.
Doing research and providing documents to places like
Sandia National Laboratories and the Santa Fe Institute is exciting,
Padilla said. Its been very rewarding and a lot
of fun.
Padillas
accomplishments at UNM mirror personal accomplishments. Her
daughter, Michelle, graduated from UNM in 2002, with a degree
in secondary education, while her son Michael also graduated
from UNM, magna cum laude with a degree in business administration
in May.
Home is
very important to Padilla who spends a lot of time tending her
acre of land in Bosque Farms. She also spends a lot of time
outdoors, jogging or riding her bike.
Padilla
often returns to Las Vegas to visit her parents, John and Lucy
Moya. Her hometown holds a special place in her heart, as does
the library where she began her career. She still remembers
how Eileen Eshner, the librarian at the time, ran programs for
kids and adults to create interest in reading. She (Eshner)
was an excellent mentor to me, Padilla said. It
was so enjoyable to work there with the public and around all
the knowledge a library holds.
Padilla
considers herself pretty peppy and that is an obvious
part of her outlook on life.
I
get up every morning with a positive attitude, Padilla
said. I just give it my best shot every day.
So if youre
ever in the Centennial Engineering and Science Library, look
for Padilla. Shell be the one with a gleam in her eye.