On a typical day, as you come up the stairs and enter the Library, the first smiling face you’ll probably see behind the Circulation Desk is Carol Gilbert, Public Services Assistant. Carol began her employment at Parkland in 1978. She grew up in Fisher, which she describes as a rural community. Carol was raised on the family farm which has been in her family for over 100 years. Her family raised cattle, sheep, and hogs. Carol says she has good childhood memories and enjoyed being “common folk.”

Carol Gilbert

After graduating from high school with a class of 52, she decided to take classes at Parkland College. At that time the Parkland campus was still in downtown Champaign. Carol remembers the downtown campus as being “confusing” because classes were held in an assortment of buildings at different locations. She recalls taking a biology course taught by Earl Creutzburg in an old grocery store.

Carol had always wanted to be a nurse, but after having two hospital experiences that caused her to “pass out” she decided she might be a little too “squeamish” for that profession. Instead, Carol pursued courses in floriculture at Parkland and wound up working at several floral shops and nurseries. (Over the years the Library staff has welcomed the custom-made bows which Carol learned to make during her time in the floral business.)

Long-time family friend, Homer Foster, formerly Parkland's Coordinator of Placement and a College counselor, told Carol about a job in Parkland’s Library. She interviewed with David Johnson, former Library Director, and Herb Trenz, former Director of Placement, and was hired as the Public Services Clerk. Carol says that everything in those early days was done manually, from processing reserves and overdues to checking out books. She remembers that her training was very detailed. Carol recalls that Parkland’s permanent campus seemed “overwhelming” and that she didn’t venture out much for the first four days on the job.

Carol comments that her workload has tripled since those early years. She feels that technology has changed her job tremendously, from checking out a book to billing a fine. Carol loves people and really enjoys her co-workers. She takes great pleasure in working with student assistants - they make her “feel young” and she “couldn’t function without them.”

At-home interests that keep Carol busy include cooking, gardening, and collecting plates, particularly ones with Norman Rockwell prints, and attending craft shows. Carol and her husband Larry enjoy their 4-year-old toy poodle, Gabby. They have a son Mike, new daughter-in-law MeKell, grandsons Blake and Christopher, and a new grandchild expected in December.

Next time you stop by the Library, be certain to say hello to Carol!

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