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.
Current Predictions for Digital Preservation
Published: April 12, 2017 by Anna Maloney
Records and Information Management Month is a great opportunity for records managers and archivists alike to share the value of RIM and to garner excitement for the future. In a March 2017 opinion piece in Information Management, Jon Tilbury, Chief Technology Officer for Preservica, forecasted the following predictions regarding the future of digital preservation:
April is Records and Information Management Month
Published: April 5, 2017 by Anna Maloney
April is a month of many holidays. Today, April 5th, we celebrate National Caramel Day, National Deep Dish Pizza Day, National Go For Broke Day, National Raison and Spice Bar Day, National Read a Road Map Day, National Walking Day, and Childhelp National Day of Hope.
Profile on MARA Student Edward Sumcad
Published: March 29, 2017 by Anna Maloney
For the past two years, I have worked as Dr. Franks’ student research assistant. For the first few months of the fall semester, I spend much of my time working on the jobs analysis, a task which exposes me to the language and trends of archives and records management job postings and from which I have learned one thing: motivated self-starters with a passion and dedication for records management are in high demand.
Career Retreats, A Guest Post from MARA Instructor Joshua Zimmerman
Published: March 22, 2017 by Anna Maloney
Career retreats are actual things, things that anyone can do, and they actually can help provide some perspective on your career and life.
March 12-18 is Sunshine Week
Published: March 16, 2017 by Anna Maloney
March 12-March 18 is Sunshine Week in the United States, a national celebration of freedom of information, freedom of the press, and open government.
Profile on MARA Student Pamela Lutzker
Published: March 8, 2017 by Anna Maloney
“If you want to do anything with electronic records, MARA is the only way to go,” says Pamela Lutzker, who enrolled in the MARA program to refresh her RIM skills.
Continuous Improvement with Lean Methods
Published: February 28, 2017 by Anna Maloney
Missed the “Lean Methods” webcast? Take an hour to view the recording and reflect on the value of continuous improvement in RIM.
President Trump, Tweets, and the Presidential Records Act
Published: February 15, 2017 by Anna Maloney
Former President Barack Obama was the first U.S. president to use social media, but just like the Oval Office, President Donald Trump and his administration has inherited control of the POTUS and White House accounts.
Ceramicist Develops New Way to Preserve History
![](/sites/main/files/imagecache/thumbnail/main-images/hallstatt_300.jpg?1578297989 ""The salt mines in Halstatt, Austria now also hold clay tablets developed to preserve our era of human history."")
Published: February 8, 2017 by Anna Maloney
The salt mines of Halstatt, Austria are home to a new hybrid record with archeological and archival implications. In a recent Atlantic article, ceramicist Martin Kunze, founder of Memory of Mankind, discusses his work creating engraved ceramic tablets that preserve significant cultural information.
New MARA Course Covers Ethics, Technology and Law
Published: February 7, 2017 by Anna Maloney
A new interdisciplinary ethics course for archivists, records and information professionals will be offered in the MARA program during the summer 2017 session.
Charlene Cunniffe to Present “Using Lean Methods to Improve RIM Practices” on February 8
Published: February 3, 2017 by Anna Maloney
Join the iSchool on Wednesday, February 8th for a webcast presented by Charlene Cunniffe, MS, CRM, IGP, CIP, and Associate Director, Governance & Operational Support in Information and Records Management at Sanofi, a global pharmaceutical vaccines, and biotech company.
MARA Program Advisory Committee Announces New Member, Robert McLauchlin
Published: January 31, 2017 by Anna Maloney
Director of Records Management Robert McLauchlin becomes the second MARA graduate to join the Program Advisory Committee.
15 Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines
Published: January 22, 2017 by Anna Maloney
If January means the start of the spring semester, then February and March mean scholarship deadlines. As we approach the commencement of classes on Thursday, now is the perfect time for students to prepare their scholarship applications. The following list of scholarships offered by regional professional associations is a good start:
Deadline Passes for Electronic Management of Federal Emails
Published: January 11, 2017 by Anna Maloney
As of December 31st, 2016, federal agencies were required to manage all emails electronically.
SAA Publishes New Blog on Archival Security
Published: January 3, 2017 by Anna Maloney
The break between fall and spring semesters, and the sudden absence of weekly discussion board posts, may leave some students feeling disconnected from the conversation of archival management. Thankfully, there are great resources available online for those interested in keeping in touch.
Profile on MARA Alumna Kristen Cook
Published: December 22, 2016 by Anna Maloney
Several graduate students officially completed the requirements of the Master of Archives and Records Administration program and earned their degrees in December 2016. One of these graduates is Kristen Cook.
Cook works at ESPN, managing projects for the internal creative agency that produces web banners, videos, advertisements, and brand standards. She started the MARA program in August 2012 in order to develop a foundation in best practices for managing the information generated in her department and to cultivate a better relationship with the technology owners she works with. Her goal is to “get away from making the donuts,” and transition her role into one that manages processes, workflows and operations.
Saving Fall Semester Assignments
Published: December 18, 2016 by Anna Maloney
As the fall semester comes to a close, students are reminded to save and backup the work they completed this semester. This includes:
International Directory of National Archives Seeks Students, Alumni for Spring Semester
Published: November 29, 2016 by Anna Maloney
Books have been written about national archives in the past, usually focusing on the national archives of a particular nation. However, none have concentrated on the national archives of all 195 countries recognized through the United Nations (plus Taiwan, which is not so recognized). The International Directory of National Archives, to be co-edited by Dr. Anthony Bernier and Dr. Pat Franks, will serve as a single source of information about national archives around the globe.
ARMA International is Seeking Applicants for Standards Project Workgroup
Published: November 22, 2016 by Anna Maloney
ARMA International is recruiting applicants to serve on a workgroup for the Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principles®.
Paris Archivists Preserve Memorials of Paris Terrorist Attacks
Published: November 16, 2016 by Anna Maloney
One year after the terrorist attacks in Paris, archivists reflect on their efforts to preserve the makeshift memorials, including letters, candles, and musical instruments.