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.
Reflections from MARA Alumnus Jody Brumage
Published: July 5, 2017 by Anna Maloney
It has only been a couple of months since MARA alumnus Jody Brumage walked across the virtual stage to receive his diploma, but he will always have fond memories of his time in the MARA program.
Around the Web: Department of Veterans Affairs Begins Digitization Project
Published: June 28, 2017 by Anna Maloney
For the past few years, it seems that every time I go to the doctor’s office, I’m asked to fill out a form consenting to the substitution of my paper medical record with an electronic one.
Around the Web: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to Digitize its Physical Media Assets
Published: June 21, 2017 by Anna Maloney
In May 2017, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation shared some exciting news that is of particular interest to the archives and preservation community: a massive project aimed at the long-term digital preservation of all of the CBC’s and Radio-Canada’s physical media assets. Combined, this includes over 1 million audio, video, and film assets.
MARA Students Present their InterPARES Trust Research
Published: June 14, 2017 by Anna Maloney
Over the past few years, several MARA and iSchool students have had the opportunity to spend a semester completing a research-oriented internship with the InterPARES Trust, “a multi-national, interdisciplinary research project exploring issues concerning digital records and data entrusted to the Internet.”
MARA Student D’Anderia Dunham Reflects on 20+ Years in RIM
Published: June 7, 2017 by Anna Maloney
D’Anderia Dunham was a 17-year old high school student when she started her career in records administration. Although she was eager to work at the time, her mother was reluctant.
“She didn’t want me to do fast food and she wanted a job that was going to be safe. She wanted me to be able to learn office etiquette—to her that was the most important thing,” said Dunham.
MARA Faculty to Attend SAA Conference
Published: May 30, 2017 by Anna Maloney
Going to the Society of American Archivists conference in Portland, Oregon? Catch up with iSchool faculty members and students during our events.
MARA Program Offering New Course in Digital Forensics
Published: May 24, 2017 by Anna Maloney
Digital Forensics for Archivists, a new one-unit course offered in the MARA program, introduces the unique properties of born-digital records and explores the role of digital forensics in archival record management.
MARA Progam Announces New One-Credit Courses
Published: May 17, 2017 by Anna Maloney
Over the next year, the MARA program will be offering a new one-credit course each semester.
Survey on Professional Certifications
Published: May 8, 2017 by Anna Maloney
The four-question survey was designed to learn about when students planned to complete or completed certifications, as well as which certifications they were most interested in.
MARA Hosts Presentation on CIP Examination
Published: May 2, 2017 by Anna Maloney
On April 20th, the MARA webcast series featured a presentation by Jesse Wilkins, Director of Research & Development for the International Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM). Wilkins discussed the Certified Information Professional (CIP) designation offered by AIIM, and covered topics included the audience for the certification, the examination development process, and the benefits of the CIP.
ALA Celebrates Preservation Week 2017
Published: April 24, 2017 by Anna Maloney
In addition to celebrating Records and Information Management month during the month of April, archivists and RIM professionals have another cause to communicate: the last week of April is designated as Preservation Week, an event sponsored largely by the American Library Association to raise awareness about collection preservation.
Turning Passion into Preservation
Published: April 19, 2017 by Anna Maloney
For archivists, maintaining collections of artifacts and records is a career. For others, it’s a hobby that can have unexpected implications.
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.