Dear MARAC Members,
Thank you for your ongoing support of MARAC in these difficult times. MARAC is aware that many of our members are currently facing “unprecedented” challenges in both our professional and personal lives as the entire world copes with the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we acknowledge that this difficult reality disproportionately affects our must vulnerable members.
This is why we would like to invite our members to participate in launching a MARAC Mutual Aid Network that allows our community to come together and support one another. A form for members to either request or provide assistance is available here: https://forms.gle/jGfkXaU9U7vLyMcR8 .
The “Mutual Aid 101 Toolkit” explains that mutual aid is: “a practice and politics that emphasizes solidarity rather than charity” and that “recognize[s] that our well-being, health and dignity are all bound up in each other.” In an effort to engage our community and to strengthen our bonds at a time when we are all feeling the enormous pressures, MARAC would like to organize a way for community members to connect to one another. If you’re interested in reaching out to support colleagues in need or in offering your support for the greater community, please use the following form to let us know. We will follow up to put individuals in contact and coordinate a group effort to share resources, spread well-being, and support archivists in need.forms.gle
For those unfamiliar with Mutual Aid Networks (MANs), the Mutual Aid 101 Toolkit defines MANs as grass-roots efforts that “emphasize solidarity rather than charity” and that allow community members to “plug in where we can make the most impact–locally.” MANs are simple efforts that allow a community to connect individuals willing to share their resources (whatever they may be) to uplift those in need.This form is a first step in helping understand the needs of our local body of archivist and archival workers.
It is important to note that all submissions will remain private and no respondent’s contact information will be used without express permission of the respondent (and for those who wish to remain anonymous that will always be an option).
Thank you for considering participating! If you should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Caitlin Rizzo, the MARAC Secretary at cur585@psu.edu or 301-266-0202.
