Jacqueline Protka

Branch Librarian

Jacqueline is the Branch Librarian for the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Library, which specializes in international modern and contemporary art. She provides strategic vision and leadership for the Hirshhorn Library’s collections, services, and outreach, and manages the day-to-day operations of the research library with one staff member, volunteers, and interns. Since FY21, Jacqueline has become increasingly involved with planning for a projected major revitalization of the Hirshhorn and its impact on the library. Jacqueline is the FY22 Smithsonian Libraries and Archives (SLA) Art Department Coordinator,  coordinating communication and initiatives across the Smithsonian's five art and design libraries and representing the department to our Discovery Services and Digital Projects colleagues.

As a member of SLA's User Services Team, she is co-chair of the SI-Wide Outreach Group; past chair of the Museum Education Outreach Group, which provides outreach, professional literature, and reference services to SI Educators; a member of the Welcome Committee, which develops and delivers presentations at Smithsonian new employee orientations; and a member of the Training Services Group which develops and delivers research instruction across SI. Jacqueline is also a member of SLA's Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Group; a member of the Smithsonian's Emerging Leaders Development Program's 2020-21 cohort; and a member of the Art Libraries Society of North America and its Mid-Atlantic Chapter, where she has previously held committee membership and officer roles. 

Jacqueline has been with SI since 2016. Prior to joining the Smithsonian, Jacqueline was the Reference Librarian for Interlibrary Loan at the National Gallery of Art, the Assistant Library Director at the Corcoran College of Art and Design, and the Reference Assistant at the Frick Art Reference Library. She has an MLIS from Pratt Institute and a BA in Art History from The College of William and Mary with classes from Oberlin College.

PUBLICATIONS

Protka, J. (2015, June). [Review of the website Mapping the Republic of Letters, a project of Humanties + Design at CESTA, Stanford University]. Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, 52(10), 52-5092.

Protka, J. (2015, April). [Review of the website World Digital Library, by Library of Congress]. ARLIS/NA Multimedia and Technology Reviews, https://www.arlisna.org/publications/multimedia-technology-reviews/580-world-digital-library.

Protka, J. (2012). Priming the CANVAS: Corcoran Archival Network for the Visual Arts. Art Documentation: Bulletin of the Art Libraries Society of North America, 31(2), 263-275.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

“’I Don’t Do Copying’: Structuring a Meaningful Library Internship,” in session “Gift Horses: Contending with Donated Labor and Library Materials,” Art Libraries Society of North America Annual Conference, April 2013, Pasadena, California.

INVITED TALKS

Guest lecturer, Information Sources and Services (LSC 553), Catholic University of America, School of Library and Information Science, 2013-present, Washington, DC.

Presenter and panelist, “Job Search Workshop: How to Find Internships and Practice Your Interviewing Skills,” organized by Special Libraries Association Maryland Chapter, October 2013, Rockville, MD.

Panelist, “Growing New Professionals through Mentorship: A Two Way Street,” Visual Resources Association + Art Libraries Society of North America Conference, March 2011, Minneapolis, MN.