Julie Boller

Julie Boller may describe herself as an “accidental librarian,” but she doesn’t leave anything to chance when it comes to her work as continuing education coordinator at the South Carolina State Library.

She joined the library in August, after graduating from USC’s Library School with a Master’s in Library and Information Science. She’s already at work identifying training needs and scheduling computer training classes for public library staffers.

Boller, originally from Cincinnati, said her path to the profession began in high school when she worked as a page and circulation assistant.

“I did not expect to return to the library field after college,” she said, “but that is exactly where I ended up and I am very glad that I did.”

She worked as an adult programming coordinator for a public library in northern Kentucky after graduating from Ohio University with a degree in recreation studies. She taught computer classes, coordinated festivals and clubs, and booked speakers.

“The projects that I had the opportunity to work on and the people that I got to work with are precisely what made me want to continue working in the library profession,” Boller said.

Her current work at the State Library includes the coordination of continuing education needs for staff, administrators and trustees.

“I will be working on developing a long-term statewide continuing education plan, which will include surveying the public libraries to identify these needs and ensure that there are training opportunities available for professional development,” Boller said.

She’s now working on a series of classes called Tech Tracks. The classes will focus on moving South Carolina libraries toward adopting the Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 technologies. (Find out more online, http://tinyurl.com/rccv9.)

“So far it has been a natural fit and I am enjoying my position as well as everyone that I have been working with,” she said.

Boller credits her experience at USC for preparing her for her work at the State Library. She was able to make friends with whom she plans on maintaining contact as they become colleagues.

If you have an alumni story you would like to share, please contact Elaine Taylor at etaylor@sc.edu.