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 Coordinators Dr. Jessica Bushey and Dr. Patrick Hutchinson, this blog will keep you current with the MARA community and what’s happening in the profession.
CLA 2026 Conference Meet-Up
Published: October 10, 2026 by Patrick Hutchinson
CLA 2026 Conference Meet-Up
October 23, 2026 – 12:30pm – 2:30pm
2026-2027 MARAC Graduate School Archival Education Scholarship
Published: October 9, 2026 by Patrick Hutchinson
The Scholarship Committee of MARAC (Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conferences) is currently accepting applications for its 2026-2027 Graduate School Archival Education Scholarship. Would you please distribute this announcement to your grad students at your school if the news has not been shared already?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR, RECORDS
NYC Emergency Management
Published: October 6, 2026 by Patrick Hutchinson
Job Description
New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) helps New Yorkers before, during, and after emergencies through preparedness, education, and response. NYCEM is responsible for coordinating citywide emergency planning and response for all types and scales of emergencies. We are staffed by more than 200 dedicated professionals with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, including individuals assigned from other City agencies.
SJSU iSchool “Info in Action” Newsletter
October 2026
Published: October 2, 2026 by Patrick Hutchinson.
The October issue of Info in Action showcases student achievements and highlights research conducted by faculty throughout the entire iSchool at SJSU.
Journal article: Using behavioral science to improve compliance in government records management: Evidence from a large field experiment
Published: October 1, 2026 by Patrick Hutchinson
ABSTRACT
Governments depend on organized records for institutional memory. Yet many civil servants fail to comply with records retention policies. We argue that non-compliance is often unintentional, owing to the difficulty and low priority of target behaviors. We present results from a large, pre-registered field experiment with civil servants in Canada (N = 22,774). Combining a pre-commitment device with timely, salient information, we evaluate a behavioral intervention to improve compliance with records management policies. We measure the effect over time, finding strong evidence of improved compliance—specifically, a 5% reduction in data storage volume. Improved compliance generates significant cost savings that persist even months after the trial. We compare two motivational frames (injunctive social norms and personal incentives), finding no significant difference in effectiveness. Our study contributes to theories of behavioral public administration and digital government by shedding light on potential gaps between intention and action, and identifies a light-touch intervention to improve records keeping in government.
Archives and Records Manager
Published: September 28, 2026 by Patrick Hutchinson
About the job
Job Description
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, a multipurpose laboratory
for astrophysics, photon science, accelerator and particle
physics research, has an employment opportunity for an Archives
and Records Manager who is self-motivated, dependable,
detail-oriented, resourceful, organized, and adapts well to
change.
Journal article: Electronic Records Management Systems: A Literature Review
Published: September 24, 2026 by Patrick Hutchinson
“This study presents a structured qualitative literature review examining ERMS implementation across developed and developing institutional contexts to identify key determinants, recurring implementation challenges, and contextual variations in adoption patterns, drawing on studies published between 2012 and 2026.
Research Services Archivist – Digital
Stanford, CA, United States (On-site)
Published: September 23, 2026 by Patrick Hutchinson
Research Services Archivist – Digital
Stanford, CA, United States (On-site)
Apply Now
Job Description
The position is dual posted at Librarian 1 and 2.
In support of a vibrant community of scholars and the public interested in the meaning and role of history, the Hoover Institution Library & Archives at Stanford University is open to anyone. To support our active researcher population we are seeking a knowledgeable, dynamic, innovative, and service-oriented professional for the full-time Academic Staff (Career Track) position of Research Services Archivist.
Special Collections and Archives MLIS+ Fellow
Location: IN-PERSON AT SJSU
Published: September 22, 2026 by Patrick Hutchinson
Fellowship Description
The SC&A Collections Assistant will be responsible for the physical arrangement and online description of assigned SC&A collections, starting with the Chinese Historical & Cultural Project (CHCP) Records. The collection
Electronic Records Manager
Getty
Published: September 21, 2026 by Patrick Hutchinson
Internal Number: 2026-4832
Job Summary
Getty Research Institute’s department of Institutional Records and Archives (IRA) seeks a limited-term Electronic Records Manager to lead a discovery-phase project focused on the development of an enterprise-wide electronic records management (ERM). The Electronic Records Manager will lead research and analysis efforts to identify present state practices, systems, strengths, and weaknesses, and to develop recommendations and requirements for a future ERM program.
Archivist Member – National Parks of Boston, American Conservation Experience (Boston, MA)
Published: September 15, 2026 by Patrick Hutchinson
Description
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking one member to contribute to archival projects alongside NPS Staff.
Thomas Lee, Ph.D. – MARA Webinar
Thursday, February 5, 12 PM - 1 PM Pacific Time
Published: January 29, 2026 by Darra Hofman
Please join Dr Hofman, MARA Program Coordinator, as she speaks with Dr. Tom Lee about the roles of information governance and internal audit in identifying, calculating, and managing the residual risk of third party breach.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://sjsu.zoom.us/j/89006724428?pwd=HSyhVHZMtaOtGeE0Hr38KbXTR96p6B.1&jst=2
ID: 89006724428
Passcode: 931246
Dr. Thomas Lee
Strategic RIM & IG Workshops You Can Watch Anytime (Gimmal)
On-demand expert discussions covering governance, collaboration, retention strategies, and implementation challenges, no live schedule needed.
Published by Andrew Wiegert, December 31st, 2025
We’ve made it to the end of the year, and as we close out 2025, Workshop Wednesday is here to bring a bit of inspiration for 2026. Each opportunity we share is a chance to learn something new or build a fresh skill, in the spirit of continuous learning, of course!
Records Management Introduction (SAA Online Webinar)
A practical, 90-minute walkthrough of records management basics — perfect for archivists expanding their scope or teams standardizing practice.
Published by Andrew Wiegert, December 24th, 2025
Here at the week’s midpoint, Workshop Wednesday brings something useful to explore. Each post features an opportunity designed to support our growth, one step at a time.
Beyond Compliance: The Four Pillars of a Healthy IG Program
Forget siloed retention schedules — modern IG calls for lifecycle integration, regulatory grounding, operational alignment, and historical preservation.
Published by Andrew Wiegert, December 19th, 2025
Before we head into the weekend, Future Friday gives us a peek at what’s coming down the line for archives and information governance. Think of it as a small moment to daydream about the future—with both feet still on the ground.
Deep-Dive RIM Training from the U.S. National Archives
Free, foundational training videos on key records management topics from the U.S. National Archives - perfect for RIM/IG professionals and students.
Published by Andrew Wiegert, December 17th, 2025
As we find our rhythm for the week, Workshop Wednesday introduces an opportunity worth considering. Whether it’s a webinar or hands-on session, it’s a good reminder that learning doesn’t have to wait for a quieter season.
AI, Archives, and the Future of Information Governance (Insights from NAGARA 2025)
Lessons from NAGARA 2025 show records pros must lead ethical and practical AI governance, not just support it.
Published by Andrew Wiegert, December 15th, 2025
As we find our rhythm for the week, Workshop Wednesday introduces an opportunity worth considering. Whether it’s a webinar or hands-on session, it’s a good reminder that learning doesn’t have to wait for a quieter season.
AI Isn’t Coming — It’s Already Reshaping Records & Info Governance
AI is no longer hypothetical — it’s transforming how records are classified, retained, and governed. Here’s what professionals need to internalize now.
Published by Andrew Wiegert, December 12th, 2025
As we close out the week, Future Friday brings a forward-looking lens to our profession. These posts explore the trends and technologies beginning to influence our work and our thinking. It’s a relaxed way to look toward the horizon before signing off for the weekend.
What Does the Genealogist Want from You? And How to Provide It
Midweek focus: bridging archives and public use.
Published by Andrew Wiegert, December 10th, 2025
The midweek stretch is a great moment to pause and invest in ourselves. Workshop Wednesday brings forward trainings and workshops that can spark new ideas or deepen our expertise.
This session delves into understanding genealogists as key users of archival records: their expectations, how they search, and how you can facilitate better access while upholding standards and preservation.
Key Details:
Location: Online
Existing and Emerging Trends in Archives and Records
Monday media spotlight: what’s emerging in archives.
Published by Andrew Wiegert, December 8th, 2025
Mondays can be a lot, so Media Monday offers one clear thing to focus on. Each week, we share a story or resource that brings fresh insight into the work we do. Here’s something meaningful to start things off.
A scholarly article examines both current and emerging standards in archives and records practice, emphasizing that the field continues to evolve rapidly.
Key Points: