Joseph Reilly

The work of a cataloger is tedious and mostly invisible, hidden behind the millions of records that make up the library’s catalog and electronic collections. If they’re doing their job well, no one should even know that the cataloger exists unless there’s a problem. But if you’ve ever been able to find a book or an article from the NIU library, you probably have Joseph Reilly to thank.

Joseph has been working as a cataloger for the University Libraries since 2015. During that time, he’s been responsible for cataloging some of the library’s most challenging collections. Most recently, this has included graphic novels and manga; thousands of NIU theses and dissertations; and many of our recent digital collections, like Peace Corps Training for Thailand. Before Joseph took over, some of these collections had backlogs stretching back years and sometimes even decades because of the complexity of the work involved.

The job has changed a lot since Joseph started, with a much greater emphasis on electronic resources. Catalogers are expected to work with several different systems and metadata schema. On Joseph’s adaptability, Department Head Matthew Short, said, "He’s the one person I know I can throw anything at. He’ll learn new workflows quickly and then have recommendations for improving them almost right away. Everyone in the library knows this, so his services are always in high demand."

Not everyone is suited to be a cataloger, but in Joseph’s case, his colleagues say he was born to the role. His supervisor, Karen Brint, shares: "During his interview he was asked for an example of a difficult problem he faced and how he solved it. As a helicopter mechanic in the U.S. Navy, he told a story about fixing an expensive part by going to a 'wall of manuals' and troubleshooting. Instantly upon hearing this, I knew he was a cataloger at heart."

One of the other things Joseph’s colleagues appreciate most is his humor. Quick witted and with perfect timing, he always has a response ready. But they might appreciate his baking even more. 

Although the impact might be difficult to see, Joseph has made a lasting contribution to the library and the University’s mission by supporting teaching and learning at a very fundamental level. Next time you use Huskie Search, remember the cataloger toiling away behind the scenes to make everything discoverable.