Satya Miller

A Day in the Life of National Gallery of Canada’s Head of Reference Services

Follow Satya Miller as she embarks on her journey as the National Gallery of Canada’s Head of Reference Services. Miller started her new position last fall.

1


Deanna Bowen, The Black Canadians (after Cooke), 2022. I was fortunate enough to start working at the NGC Library and Archives on August 1st, 2023 which happened to be the same day as the opening of the exhibit and Emancipation Day. It was lovely to hear Deanna speak at the opening event.

2


Parking my bike at the curatorial wing entrance.

3


Answering reference questions at the reference desk. On a clear day, you can see the Gatineau Hills. Our most used collection are the artist files containing ephemeral documentation on Artists in Canada

4


Shelving books in the Rare Books room. There are rare periodicals, illustrated books, and catalogue raisonnés here.

 

5


Eating lunch in Major Hills Park which has a panoramic view overlooking the Library of Parliament and the Ottawa River.

6


Organizing the display of new book acquisitions.

7


Shelving books in the Special Collections room. The Art Metropole collection, Canadian artist multiples, and artists’ books are located here.

8


A view of Kìwekì Point (formerly Nepean Point). The National Capital Commission (NCC) is redeveloping the site and building a bridge to Major Hills Park. Every day we observe the progress. We have many people asking questions about it.

9


The 2022 Library and Archives exhibition The Alcuin Society Book Design Awards for excellence in book design. The current exhibit is on Jean-Paul Riopelle.

 

CONTRIBUTOR

Satya Miller

Head of Reference Services, National Gallery of Canada

IMAGES

All images taken by the author.