Fall 2026 Virtual Conference
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The Program Committee’s poster session warmly invites proposals from students and professionals for the Fall 2026 meeting scheduled to be held October 28-30, 2026, online. We welcome proposals on any archival challenges, projects, innovations, or exhibits, and we would especially appreciate posters that highlight our conference theme of the “Archives adapting to a changing world.” Poster presentations will be uploaded to YouTube in short YouTube videos (5 minutes or less) in advance of the conference. Please see MARAC Virtual Conference 2024 Poster Session for example. During the conference, there will be a Poster Q&A session on Friday October 30, 2026 for the poster creators to discuss their posters with conference attendees. Timeline:
We welcome poster proposals from both professionals and current students. Please submit your proposals by the specified deadline to be considered for this exciting opportunity to share your work and engage with colleagues in the archival field. Link to the Proposal form: https://forms.gle/NsZKgVNyPA3QzriR9 Email Meredith Sproull ([email protected]) or Meghan Glasbrenner ([email protected]) with any questions! The 2026 Virtual Conference Committee warmly invites archives from around the region to host virtual tours for the Fall 2026 Virtual Conference to be held October 28-30, 2026, online. We welcome volunteer hosts from any archives who want to share behind-the-scenes of a project, digitization labs, preservation, reading rooms, processing, exhibits, or anything unique and special you offer! Travel is of no consequence, so archives from any location can participate! Virtual tours will be uploaded to YouTube as short videos (5-10 minutes) in advance of the conference. Please see the MARAC Virtual Conference 2024 Virtual Events Playlist for examples of past tours. There will be a Virtual Tour Host Q&A Session during the conference on Wednesday October 28, 2026 at 3:15 PM EDT for hosts to discuss their archives with conference attendees. Virtual Tours offer MARAC members excellent opportunities to showcase collections and services! If you have an idea for a tour but you’re not sure, have any questions, or technology concerns, feel free to reach out to us! Please fill out the short interest form by Friday, August 14, 2026 and next steps will be shared shortly after. Final tour recordings will be due by October 1, 2026. Link to the form: https://forms.gle/CoaMcNatiF2q2ctZ8 Kim Peach, [email protected] |
Conference sessions will examine archives adapting in a changing world. Many of us are experiencing a changing work environment such as reduced staffing and budgets, changing expectations, closed programs, and/or added responsibility. Below are topics that may be covered.
- Collaboration and developing relationships with other organizations to make the most of limited resources (how to make it happen)
- Grant planning and writing in a changing environment
- How to leverage volunteers and interns
- Survival skills for lone arrangers and smaller archive organizations - grassroots collecting, processing, and digitization project planning
- Foundation and resources for underrepresented community archives, including best practices for start up oral history projects (oral history 101)
- Environmental and workplace impacts of evolving technology such as AI, chatGTP, data centers
- Advocating for your archive
The Program Committee is committed to incorporating diverse perspectives within the program and across the entire conference. Session proposals should reflect varied personal and professional experiences, including individual, institutional, and geographic diversity. The Program Committee is also interested in supporting a range of session types, including panel presentation or discussions, lightning talks, mini-workshops, case studies, and birds of a feather.
Registration
Registration will open in mid-September.
MARAC Member: $40.00
MARAC Student Member: free
Non-member: $55.00
Non-member Student: $10.00
Questions? Visit MARAC's Registration FAQ or contact Sara Predmore at [email protected].
Vendors
Vendors will have the opportunity to sponsor sessions or reserve a slot to make a pitch, perform a demonstration, or hold office hours for questions and answers. Questions? Contact the MARAC Vendor Coordinator, Nick Zmijewski, at [email protected].
Contact the Meeting Planners
Email [email protected] to reach the meeting planning committee.
Virtual Meetings Coordinator: Scott Keefer (Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul)
Virtual Meeting Co-Chairs: Melissa Davis (George C. Marshall Foundation), Jen Gathings (University of Maryland), Darby Nisbett Schini (Maryland State Archives), and Meredith Sproull (Carnegie Library of Homestead)
Meet the Vendors
