(EMG Lecture) Introducing the Magnetic Media Crisis Committee (MMCC)

EMG Webinar: Introducing the Magnetic Media Crisis Committee (MMCC)

Friday, December 12, at 1:00pm ET

Formed in January 2025, the Magnetic Media Crisis Committee (MMCC) supports the archival community working to preserve audio and video magnetic media materials. It builds on the efforts of AMIA’s earlier Magnetic Tape Crisis Committee (2013–2016), which focused exclusively on videotape. Join us Friday, December 12, for a webinar that introduces this committee, featuring MMCC Co-Chairs Brianna Toth and Libby Savage Hopfauf, along with committee member Kristin MacDonough.

The new iteration of the MMCC expands its scope to include audio formats as well, reflecting the broader and deepening crisis of magnetic media. With over 100 members representing more than 65 organizations across the GLAM sector, the MMCC fosters strategic collaboration, promotes adaptable workflows, and supports the exchange of practical solutions to respond to the rapidly evolving preservation landscape.

With an emphasis on collaboration, the mission of the MMCC is rooted in sharing tacit knowledge and consolidating resources during this time of austerity. Members of the MMCC have begun working on a number of projects including gathering collective expertise on common chemicals used for cleaning, coordinating informal talks on technical areas of interest and DIY solutions, compiling a cookbook of tape baking recipes, providing feedback on open-source tools, facilitating relationships with hobbyists to assist with CRT maintenance, exploring techniques for better quality VHS transfers using S-Video and RF capture, as well as increasing global membership and representation through community outreach.

This event is free for AIC members and will be recorded. Professional Members will earn one CPD credit in the Learning and Skills section. 

Brianna Toth

Video Preservation Specialist

Smithsonian Libraries & Archives Audiovisual Media Preservation Initiative (AVMPI)

Brianna Toth currently works for the Smithsonian Libraries & Archives Audiovisual Media Preservation Initiative (AVMPI) as their Video Preservation Specialist and serves as the Co-Chair of the Magnetic Media Crisis Committee (MMCC). Her research is concerned with the obsolescence of technical expertise in relation to the maintenance and preservation of analog video decks. In tandem with this research, she worked as AMIA’s Program Manager for Online Education and served as the Co-Chair of the Continuing Education Advisory (CEA) Task Force from 2021 – 2023. Brianna holds a Masters in Library Information Science with a focus on Media Archival Studies (MLIS MAS) from UCLA.

Libby Hopfauf

Executive Director

Moving Image Preservation of Puget Sound (MIPoPS)

Libby Savage Hopfauf is Co-Chair of the Magnetic Media Crisis Committee (MMCC), Executive Director of Moving Image Preservation of Puget Sound (MIPoPS), and the Audiovisual Archivist at the Seattle Municipal Archives. She received a Master's in Library and Information Science and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing with a minor in Sociology from Western Washington University. Libby is dedicated to creating accessible resources for archivists, promoting intuitive use of open-source tools to support sustainable digitization practices and address the ongoing magnetic media crisis.

Kristin MacDonough

Archive and Collection Manager

Video Data Bank (VDB)

Kristin MacDonough works as the Archive and Collection Manager at Video Data Bank (VDB), an archive and distributor of single-channel videos by and about artists. Prior to her current role at VDB, Kristin worked as the Assistant Media Conservator at the Art Institute of Chicago. Outside of work, Kristin empowers others to engage with at-risk and under-supported audiovisual collections through mentorship and by organizing workshops and courses on caring for AV media. Kristin holds an MA from the Moving Image Archiving and Preservation program at New York University. She previously worked at VDB as the Digitization Specialist, and has also worked for other organizations including The StandBy Program and Bay Area Video Coalition. 

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Magnetic Media Crisis Committee Webinar
12/12/2025 at 1:00 PM (EST)  |  90 minutes  |  Attendance Required
12/12/2025 at 1:00 PM (EST)  |  90 minutes  |  Attendance Required Formed in January 2025, the Magnetic Media Crisis Committee (MMCC), builds on the efforts of AMIA’s earlier Magnetic Tape Crisis Committee (2013–2016), which focused exclusively on videotape. The new iteration of the MMCC expands its scope to include audio formats as well, reflecting the broader and deepening crisis of magnetic media. With over 100 members representing more than 65 organizations across the GLAM sector, the MMCC fosters strategic collaboration, promotes adaptable workflows, and supports the exchange of practical solutions to respond to the rapidly evolving preservation landscape. With an emphasis on collaboration, the mission of the MMCC is rooted in sharing tacit knowledge and consolidating resources during this time of austerity. Members of the MMCC have begun working on a number of projects including gathering collective expertise on common chemicals used for cleaning, coordinating informal talks on technical areas of interest and DIY solutions, compiling a cookbook of tape baking recipes, providing feedback on open-source tools, facilitating relationships with hobbyists to assist with CRT maintenance, exploring techniques for better quality VHS transfers using S-Video and RF capture, as well as increasing global membership and representation through community outreach.
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