Meet Janet Burka, New Multidisciplinary Librarian

I would like to introduce Janet Burka, new Multidisciplinary Librarian for the University of Texas at Arlington Libraries! She has approximately 15 years of experience in libraries and comes to us from the library at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.

Alexandra Pirkle (AP): As a way of introducing yourself in this current environment, what piece of media (book/movie/TV show/album/etc.) would you say best represents yourself? Why?

Janet Burka (JB): I actually have a second master’s in art history (in addition to my MSLIS), so of course I’m going to choose a work of art. I really love Vilhelm Hammershøi’s paintings. He is best known for his interior scenes, and many are of empty rooms that emphasize light and space. I find them very calming to look at—whatever is rattling around in my head just expands out and is absorbed by all that empty space in the picture. Moonlight, Strandgade 30 is at the Met, and I used to visit it often when I lived in New York.

AP: What three words best describe your personal aesthetic (e.g. cozy, eclectic, whimsical, vintage, etc.)?

JB: Calm, colorful, curated.

AP: What makes you most excited to work for UTA Libraries?

JB: Getting to learn from, and work with, my new colleagues. Everyone is here is so enthusiastic about the work they are doing, and seem to have interesting projects and creative ways to be of service to the larger UTA community. I am excited to learn some new skills and put my own strengths to work to support student and faculty success.

AP: What is something about you that others would be surprised to know?

JB: My favorite vacation of all time was a silent retreat at a monastery in New Mexico.

Thank you, Janet! We are excited to have you on board.