After more than 38 years of working at the Alachua County Library District, librarian Cindy Dorfeld Bruckman has retired.
“When you work with people for over 30 years they become like family,” Bruckman said.
Cindy started with the library as a volunteer in 1984, when the library was in the old library building in downtown Gainesville. During her career she has been a library page in circulation, a library assistant in technical services, and a librarian in adult services. Cindy worked at the Headquarters Library, the Newberry Branch and the Library Partnership Branch. Though she truly enjoyed doing Story Time events, Cindy said her passion has always been helping people in adult reference.
Cindy has seen the library evolve from the old Santa Fe Regional Library to the Alachua County Library District. Along the way she made many friends.
“I have served and worked with some amazing people here and that is what has kept me going all these years,” Bruckman said.
Cindy was able to continue her education with a tuition reimbursement provided by donations from the Friends of the Library during her time with the library. Through the years many staff members have had this same opportunity.
Over time, Cindy has been awarded many honors and has been a part of vital moments at the Library District. She was instrumental in bringing the Foundation Center collection and online database to the library. She has worked with several community partners including United Way and the Newberry-Jonesville Chamber of Commerce. In 2010 Cindy won the Alachua County Library District’s Carol Hole Award, which is given to a staff member who shows “exceptional outreach to the community.”
Retiring from the Library District was a hard decision for Cindy. She will never forget the friends she made along the way and the community she has served.
“My years of service have been rewarding,” Bruckman said. “I would like to say goodbye and best wishes to all.”
Cindy created a "photographic journey" of her life at the Library District. Take a few minutes to check out her video.