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. This presentation will be recorded.
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.
The conversation will be recorded.
Organizer:
Melissa McMullen, MARAC New York Caucus Representative
M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & Archives University at Albany, SUNY
TITLE: Communicating Your Collection: Making Short Video Content for Outreach and Education (two-day workshop)
When: November 18, 9:00 am-12:00 pm EST (15 minute break)
November 19, 9:00 am-12:00 pm EST (15 minute break)
Where: Virtual (MARAC Zoom)
Instructor: Alexandra (Allie) Alvis (she/they), Curator, Special Collections, Winterthur Library
Cost: $100.00
Registration Limit: 10
Stay tuned for registration form
Workshop Description:
Your archives are ready for their closeup! This two-day workshop will introduce the whys and how-tos of using Instagram to create short educational videos about your collection using your smartphone. Allie Alvis (aka @book_historia) will walk you through the rationale behind using short video as a communication tool, how to select an object and film it, how to edit that video in the Instagram interface, how to write and perform voiceover, and how to post your finished product. Allie will also cover posting your video to other platforms including TikTok, and how "the algorithm" can be both a friend and enemy. This workshop will be recorded.
Please note: Participants should come prepared to the session with one multi-page item or small group of shorter items that they would like to make a video about.
About the Instructor:
Allie Alvisis Curator of Special Collections of the Winterthur Library, where they are responsible for the stewardship and engagement of the collection. They have previously worked as an antiquarian bookseller at Type Punch Matrix, and as the special collections reference librarian for the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. You may also be familiar with Allie as Book Historia on various social media platforms, where they have a combined following of over 362k followers. They post informational videos about books and manuscripts as objects, highlighting exciting examples from libraries and collections around the world. Allie's research is diverse and far-reaching, with interests in physical patterns of use in books, the history of ephemera, and communication using rare materials.
ARCs: 2
Register online at https://marac.memberclicks.net/communicating_collection
Questions? Contact Elizabeth Wilkinson at [email protected]
