Ellen McGrath
Title: Cataloger
Library: University at Buffalo
Location: Buffalo, NY
Five Questions:
1. Favorite thing about your job? I still love cataloging after 35 years! I really enjoy the actual steps of the cataloging process–the physical description, the assignment of subject headings and classification numbers, followed by making sure the holdings and item records are created correctly. Without all of that, access by our users is impossible! What makes me cranky is the other parts of my job that take me away from cataloging.
2. What inspires you most? My colleagues, here at the University of Buffalo and all across the country and the world. In general, I find that librarians are supremely caring professionals. Even when I disagree with a colleague, I often find myself simultaneously admiring them for their passion about their work.
3. What’s your greatest achievement and how has it shaped you? I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. The treatment was rigorous–surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and losing my hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. But I kept working and made it through that incredibly long and challenging year, with the help and support of family, friends, and colleagues. Afterwards I joined a local dragon boat team for breast cancer survivors. I am still on it and I am inspired by my teammates, who love to stay strong and live and laugh together.
4. Favorite quote? “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau. I’m not a big fan of Thoreau’s or anything like that. The words just grabbed me, especially after I finished my cancer treatment. It’s sort of trite to say, I know, but that truly was a wake-up call for me to stop postponing things I wanted to do with my life. Of course we all can’t do everything we want as soon as the idea occurs to us. But if you have wanted to do something for a long time and have never done it, stop and think about why that is.
5. Favorite thing about living in upstate New York? The change of seasons. As I look out my window now, in mid-December with snow coming down and blowing around, this may seem crazy! But aside from my hatred of driving in bad winter conditions, I find winter beautiful in many ways. Autumn is my favorite season, though it often is way too short. I enjoy the promise of spring (when it’s not too muddy). And summers on the shores of Lake Erie are wonderful, with the breeze protecting us from the worst of the heat and humidity. If you’ve never been to Buffalo in the summer, what are you waiting for?
