MARA Blog
MARA Blog
Students in the MARA program and those interested in archives and preservation, electronic records management, information governance, and related fields are highly encouraged to visit this blog often. Managed by MARA Program Coordinator Darra Hofman and written by a current MARA student, this blog will keep you current with the MARA community and what’s happening in the profession.
Fourth of July in the National Archives
Published: July 3, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
The National Archives celebrates the 242nd anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence with special events in Washington, DC, and at Presidential Libraries nationwide.
Archives Awareness: Charlie Chaplin Archive
Published: June 28, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
If you are a fan of Charlie Chaplin and the silent film era, there is a fascinating online site for both serious researches or regular fans of the film master’s work.
Around the Web: Preservation Standards for the Digital Age
Published: June 21, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
The expansion of standards in a digital era — and the need for interoperability between them — was the topic of a NAB 2019 Birds of a Feather discussion including representatives from five different groups involved with creating and redefining relevant standards: ASC, ETC, MESA, MovieLabs and CineCert.
Around the Web: Cybersecurity and Malware
Published: June 14, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
Researchers in Israel say they have developed a malware to draw attention to serious security weaknesses in critical medical imaging equipment used for diagnosing conditions and the networks that transmit those images — vulnerabilities that could have potentially life-altering consequences if unaddressed.
Disc-Free Gaming is a nightmare
Published: June 7, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
On May 7th, Microsoft is launching the new Xbox One S, which boasts “Disc-free gaming,” a feature that has already raised issues about ownership and access for players.
Archives Awareness: Learning Game Initiative Research Archive
Published: May 31, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
The Learning Games Initiative was designed around the concept of “preservation through use” and makes the constantly expanding collection of computer games, systems, peripherals, memorabilia, scholarship, and a plethora of other game-related materials accessible to researchers all over the world and of all ages.
End of Spring Semester
Published: May 24, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
Now that spring semester is over and summer is right around the corner, I’m here to let you know what you need to do to prepare for the end of the semester.
Around the Web: Where will the Iron Throne end up?
Published: May 17, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
The question for the past 8 season has been who will end up on the Iron Throne? Here’s a non-spoiler (PROMISE THIS IS NON-SPOILER) alert of who will end up on the throne for the series finale! ;-)
Archives in Context Podcast
Published: May 9, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
Podcasts are having a moment. They have been having “a moment” for awhile now but due to a class I recently took, I’ve been looking at podcasts in a different light lately. I enjoy a plethora of podcasts from skincare to crime but now I’ve been interested in the new podcast Archives in Context.
Archives Awareness: Digital Archive of the Shoshone Nation
Published: April 29, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
Digital archives are becoming popular in this instantaneous and constant communication world. Who wouldn’t want access to an archive digitally if you cannot make it to the physical location? The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation has announced that Utah State University will help to convert and catalog the tribe’s historical documents into a public online archive.
In the News: Notre-Dame
Published: April 19, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
It is a tragedy that was seen all around the world, flames leaping from the top of Notre-Dame Cathedral on the evening of Monday April 15. The Paris fire brigade chaplain, Jean-Marc Fournier, had one thing in mind as he tried to fight the fire - rescue the two most sacred relics.
#Spotlight Series: Vida Barone and ARMA Live! Conference
Published: April 12, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
Are you interested in attending an ARMA conference? MARA student Vida Barone had the opportunity to attend and she is sharing her experience with us.
20th Century Fox Oral History
Published: April 5, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
I recently finished my oral history class and while I thought I was just taking this class for the credit, it ended up opening my eyes to the world of Oral History. And just in time too because as March 20, 2019, Walt Disney Co. acquired Twentieth Century Fox, FX, Fox Searchlight, and NatGeo. This marks the final drumbeat for the historic 20th Century Fox, which was one of Hollywood’s six major studios.
Archives Awareness: Fashion Archivist
Published: March 22, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
Did you ever imagine that there could be a position for an archivist in the fashion industry? Between hanging a knit dress and storing shoes in plastic bins, there are many ways to accidentally ruin fashion pieces but Julie Ann Clauss is a fashion archivist who works to help people properly store their clothing.
#BalanceforBetter: International Women’s Day
Published: March 8, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
It is International Women’s Day on March 8th and to celebrate, cities around the world are showing examples of #BalanceforBetter, this years theme. If you are in Chicago, check out the event where an art therapist talks about her proposal for an art therapy archives.
#Spotlight Series: Emily Mercer
Published: February 15, 2019 by Katie Kuryla
Emily Mercer is a MARA student who is passionate about history and loves working with databases. She is a first-generation college graduate and a first-generation graduate student pursuing a career she truly enjoys. Check out her spotlight! – Katie
Around the Web: A Christmas Story House
Published: November 30, 2018 by Katie Kuryla
Christmas time is personally one of my favorite times of year. The lights, the music, eggnog, and the smell of the trees! It’s the best time of year. One of my favorite activities is watching A Christmas Story.
A Call for Papers – Archives and Popular Culture
Published: November 19, 2018 by Katie Kuryla
One of the great things while we are working on our degrees, is the opportunities regarding writing papers for peer-reviewed journals, official publications, and even books. Recently, I saw a post for a #CallforPapers from View Journal looking for proposals for a special issue of Journal of Popular Culture. The Special Issue is Archives and Popular Culture.
#Spotlight Series: Shirin Pakravan and ARMA Chapter Meeting
Published: November 10, 2018 by Katie Kuryla
Have you ever been interested in attending an ARMA Chapter meeting near you? Shirin Pakravan attended one near her and she’s sharing her experience for our #SpotlightSeries this month! -Katie
Ten Things that Terrify Archivists
Published: November 5, 2018 by Katie Kuryla
With Halloween just barely behind us, I thought we could look at the ten things that terrify archivists!