Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Metadata for Superheroes: Designing a MODS Schema for Dark Horse Comics

By designing templates and example records for both creative and administrative materials, I explored how MODS supports nuanced description, rights management, and interrelated content—key needs for a multimedia company. One of the strengths of MODS is its flexibility and XML-based structure, which made it well-suited for handling complex, born-digital and print assets. However, applying MODS outside of a traditional library setting presented challenges, particularly in aligning fields with internal business workflows and proprietary content types. Additionally, balancing descriptive richness with practical implementation required careful judgment to avoid overcomplicating the schema. Overall, this assignment highlighted the strengths and limitations of MODS for corporate archival use and offered insight into adapting bibliographic standards for creative industries.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Archival Review III: UCLA Film & Television Archive

The UCLA Film & Television Archive is one of the largest and most respected moving image archives in the U.S., preserving over 520,000 films, TV programs, and radio recordings. Known for its innovative restoration work and community-focused programming, the Archive supports academic research and public engagement while safeguarding audiovisual heritage for future generations.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Archival Review II: Museum of Modern Art: Film MoMA

The Museum of Modern Art’s Department of Film, founded in 1934, is a pioneering institution in film preservation, curation, and research. With a collection of over 30,000 films and 1.5 million stills, MoMA is globally recognized for its efforts to safeguard cinema history. Through public screenings, scholarly access, and advanced preservation facilities, MoMA ensures that film remains central to modern art and cultural heritage.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Archival Review I: Anthology Film Archives

Anthology Film Archives
Founded in 1970, Anthology Film Archives is a globally recognized institution in New York City dedicated to the preservation, study, and exhibition of independent, experimental, and avant-garde cinema. Conceived by influential filmmakers and scholars—including Jonas Mekas and Stan Brakhage—it houses one of the world’s largest collections of avant-garde film and related materials. The Archive offers extensive public programming, a vast reference library, and rigorous preservation practices. Its mission balances cultural preservation with public accessibility, making it a key resource for scholars, artists, and cinephiles worldwide.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Book Review: Digital Art through the Looking Glass: New Strategies for Archiving, Collecting, and Preserving in Digital Humanities

Delve into the complexities of preserving digital art with Digital Art through the Looking Glass: New Strategies for Archiving, Collecting, and Preserving in Digital Humanities. Edited by Oliver Grau, Janina Hoth, and Eveline Wandl-Vogt, this insightful volume brings together global experts to explore innovative solutions for safeguarding digital cultural heritage. Balancing theoretical frameworks with practical strategies, the book addresses challenges such as technological obsolescence, originality, and cultural significance, making it an essential resource for archivists, digital humanists, educators, and art preservationists.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Digital Collection Finding Aid: Film Chest Vintage Cartoons

Explore the rich history of early animation with the Film Chest Vintage Cartoons Archive, a curated collection of classic cartoons from the 1930s to the 1950s. This archive, hosted on the Internet Archive and created by Mickayla McDowell, Jacqueline Ornelas, and Adam Richardson, provides access to over 80 restored and remastered animated films. Highlights include iconic characters like Betty Boop, Felix the Cat, and Popeye, alongside works by animation pioneers such as Max and Dave Fleischer, Ub Iwerks, and Walter Lantz.

Key Features:

  • Collection Scope: 18.8 GB of digital content, encompassing 2,022 files, with bulk dates from 1931–1937.

  • Access: Free to view, share, and download via the Internet Archive.

  • Detailed Finding Aid: Organized by series, directors, and production years, maintaining original archival principles.

  • Historical Insights: Features cultural and technical advancements in animation, offering a glimpse into the golden age of cartoons.

Discover the artistry and innovation of early animated films at Internet Archive's Film Chest Vintage Cartoons. Perfect for researchers, educators, and animation enthusiasts.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Nature & Deterioration of Analog Materials: Silk Textiles

From its origins along the ancient Silk Road to its unexpected influence on early computing, silk has shaped history in profound ways. This exquisite material, prized for its beauty and versatility, has been used in everything from fashion to technology. While its fragility presents challenges, innovative preservation techniques ensure silk’s enduring legacy for future generations. Explore its fascinating journey and the meticulous care required to protect this timeless fabric.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

A Look Into Corporate Archives: The Walt Disney Archives

Exploring the Walt Disney Archives
Corporate archives preserve institutional history and support stakeholders. Our group analyzed the Walt Disney Archives, exploring its founding, key policies, preservation strategies, and vast collection of artifacts. This case study highlights how corporate history is safeguarded and shared.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Solarpunk: Information Needs

I’m excited (and a bit nervous) to share my first research paper from my MLIS program, which also marks the culmination of my first term. Truth be told, I hesitated to post it—there’s always that temptation to wait for a “perfect” version. But I’ve realized that documenting growth is just as valuable as achieving polished results.

While I’m proud of how this paper came together, I know there’s room for improvement, and I’m excited to continue learning and refining my skills. If you have any feedback, tips, or suggestions, I’d love to hear them! Constructive input will only help me grow further.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me!

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Solarpunk: Video Games

Discover five Solarpunk-inspired video games that embrace sustainability and eco-friendly futures. These games explore themes of nature, community, and balance between civilization and the environment. Perfect for gamers who want to experience a green, utopian vision through immersive storytelling and gameplay.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Solarpunk: Global Community

Explore how Solarpunk, an eco-futurist movement, embraces diversity and global perspectives. Learn how it draws inspiration from Afrofuturism, nature, and under-represented voices to envision a sustainable, egalitarian future through collaboration and inclusive storytelling.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Solarpunk: Libraries and Creative Classrooms

Discover how libraries embody the principles of Solarpunk through community engagement, imagination, and modern technology. Explore the role of libraries as creative classrooms that foster youth maker culture, local solutions, and a future of equality and sustainability.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Solarpunk: On Speculative Education

Discover how speculative fiction can shape the future of education through hope and imagination. Learn how Solarpunk and other hopeful genres inspire sustainable, community-oriented futures by embracing diverse stories and radical imagination in a post-pandemic world.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Solarpunk: Information-Seeking

Explore the Solarpunk community's unique approach to envisioning a green, egalitarian future. Learn how Solarpunks use diverse information-seeking behaviors to drive innovation, from online communities to new technologies, blending modern ideas with traditional wisdom. Discover how communal sensemaking and creativity shape their vision for sustainability.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Solarpunk as an Information Community

Discover how Solarpunk envisions a sustainable, egalitarian future. Through the lens of Fisher and Fulton's information community model, explore the movement's collaboration, technology use, and commitment to diversity and social connection. Learn how Solarpunk blends art, literature, and activism to build a greener tomorrow.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

Information Communities

In my first post I will be introducing a community that I belong to. Throughout the rest of the semester we will be learning together about an information community and I will be sharing my process of discovery.

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Mickayla McDowell Mickayla McDowell

The Path Ahead

I'm Mickayla, an aspiring archivist currently pursuing an MLIS degree at San Jose State University. Passionate about preserving history, I aim to work with non-profits, museums, art galleries, game companies, and film studios. With a background in Social Sciences from Portland State University, I’m dedicated to creating accessible historical archives for future generations. Follow my journey as I help organizations preserve and share their stories.

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