Webinars & Workshops

TITLE: Centering Professional Wellness in a Field That is Unwell
When: 18 September 2025, 1:30-3:00 pm EST
Where: Virtual (MARAC Zoom)
Instructor: Rachael C. Woody, Founder + Director of Relicura, LLC
Cost: $15.00
Registration Limit: 100

Register by September 16th at Professional Wellness Registration

 

We are all there.  We are burnt out and in chronic survival mode.  If you are in the archives field then chances are that you (at one point) had a deep passion for the field.  But a lot has changed in just the last decade and it has taken a toll on our wellbeing.  On top of global crises we're also in a severely underpaid field that is under the toxic illusion that we won't leave because we "love our jobs".  In this workshop we are going to get real with the challenges we're facing in our field, including: unethically low salaries and precarious employment, the culture of perpetual "sacrifice", and trauma in the workplace.  We are going to review the markers of each and discuss realistic strategies for how to set boundaries, fortify ourselves, and advocate for our wellness.  This webinar will be recorded.

 

About the Instructor: 

Rachael C. Woody is the Founder + Director of Relicura LLC, a firm that provides services to archives, museums, and cultural heritage organizations.  She specializes in collections management systems, digitization technology, digital project management, and digital usership.  Previously Woody was at the Smithsonian Institution and the Oregon Wine History Archive at Linfield University, where she successfully

launched multiple digital projects that included advanced digitization technology, collaborative portals, and the migration of collection information into collections management systems.  She received her Master of Science in Library and Information Science with a concentration in Archives Management from Simmons University, and has 15 years of experience in the museum and archives field.  She's founded the Archivist-in-Residence (paid internship) program at Northwest Archivists, and serves on several advocacy committees.

Questions? Contact Jessica Grimmer at j[email protected]

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MARAC Caucus Conversations are a series of quarterly webinars developed and sponsored by MARAC’s caucuses. Attendance is open to all and not limited to specific caucus members. 

Title: Bridging the Gap: Consumer-Level AI and Archival Description
Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Venue: MARAC Zoom
Cost: Free (attendance is limited to 100). Registration is not required. 

See your membership emails for Zoom invitation.

Description: 
How can archivists responsibly use consumer-level AI to describe large, under-processed collections? This conversation explores the University at Buffalo’s pilot project applying AI tools to the WBFO Radio Archive, a collection of over 2,000 hours of historic audio. Presenters will share their workflow—from transcription to AI-generated descriptions—along with lessons learned about prompt engineering, metadata accuracy, and data privacy. Attendees will gain practical insights into the opportunities and challenges of using generative AI in archives, and how these tools can enhance access while complementing, not replacing, professional expertise.

Speakers: 
Hope Dunbar, University Archivist, University Archives, University at Buffalo
Hope Dunbar is the University Archivist at the University at Buffalo, where she leads the ongoing operations of the University Archives, building and promoting its collections through outreach, donor relations, and partnerships. With a robust background in archival management, Dunbar applies best practices to ensure access to the university’s rich manuscript and archival collections. She is also actively involved in grant writing and development to support archival projects and services. Prior to joining the University at Buffalo, Dunbar spent seven years as a Special Collections Archivist at SUNY Buffalo State University, where she worked extensively on processing, digitizing, and managing special collections, while fostering community engagement and enhancing archival services through collaborative initiatives.

Dunbar holds a Master’s in Library and Information Science with a specialization in Archives & Special Collections from the University of Illinois and a Juris Doctor from DePaul University, College of Law. She is a Certified Archivist and has served in various leadership roles within the archival community, including as a board member for the Society of American Archivists Foundation. Dunbar has contributed to the academic and local community through numerous exhibitions, publications, and presentations, with a particular focus on LGBTQ history and Western New York regional collections. Her professional achievements have earned her accolades such as the Parkside Partner Award and the Western New York Library Resources Council’s Excellence in Library Service Award.

Ken Axford, WBFO Project Archivist, University Archives, University at Buffalo
Ken Axford is the WBFO Project Archivist at the University at Buffalo's University Archives, where he specializes in managing and enhancing the WBFO WNY Radio Archive. With a background in archival science and digital preservation, Axford focuses on improving access to audio collections and ensuring their long-term sustainability. He is dedicated to leveraging innovative technologies to enhance archival workflows and user engagement. Axford holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science and has experience in both academic and public archival settings. His work emphasizes the importance of community outreach and collaboration within the archival profession.

Organizer: 
Melissa McMullen, MARAC New York Caucus Representative
M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & Archives University at Albany, SUNY