Customizing Retention Schedule Descriptions

Are the descriptions on your agency’s retention schedule lacking flair? Customizing records series descriptions can make your schedule easier to navigate and can increase clarity, helping your staff classify records properly. Here are some tips for writing custom series descriptions. Background Each state agency and public university in Texas must create a unique records retention schedule based on the records they create and maintain (Government Code §441.185). Local governments in Texas must either keep all records permanently, or prepare a records…

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News You Can Use

2026 Local Government Records Management Officer Meeting

REGISTRATION HAS BEEN CLOSED Calling all Texas local government records management officers and liaisons! You are cordially invited to the annual Local Government Records Management Officer meeting, organized by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC). This meeting will include presentations and Q&A on training, compliance, local schedule updates, and more! Please note: Please…

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Tips and Topics

Name or Position? Designating a Local RMO

Are you a non-elected local government considering updating your RMO designation? This article will explain your options! Note: “Non-elected local government” refers to counties, municipalities, ISDs, and other local entities outlined in our article on local government status. This article does not apply to elected local officials or state agencies/public universities. Two Ways to Designate…

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Training Announcements

Records Management Training for Local Governments – Registration Open!

This could be you. We are excited to announce that we will be hosting local government classes on: Each class is $24 per person, per day. Class size is limited to 40 people, so register today! Classes will be held at the Barbara Jordan State Office Building—1601 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701. Course Descriptions Introduction…

News You Can Use

Celebrate and Learn Our Nation’s History Through Your Library with the Texas America250 Reading Challenge

Ready to celebrate 250 years of American independence in a big way? Join Texans statewide in the Texas America250 Reading Challenge, hosted by TSLAC and the Texas Center for the Book. It’s simple: log 2,500 minutes—that’s about 41 hours—of reading, exploring Texas state parks, or giving back through service between January 1 and December 31,…

Thank You for Attending E-Records 2025!

On Friday, November 21st, 2025, the annual e-Records Conference returned with the theme “Preserve the Past, Power the Future.” Co-sponsored by TSLAC and the Texas Department of Information Resources, this year’s theme highlighted the importance of electronic records for Texas government operations now and in years to come. Smashing yet another attendance record, this year’s…

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Are Exhibits Records?

First, let’s look at the definition of an exhibit. According to Black’s Law Dictionary, an exhibit is “a document, record, or other tangible object formally introduced as evidence in court,” or “a document attached to and made part of a pleading, motion, contract or other instrument.” So, exhibits may be physical objects or documents, and…

Maps, Plats, and Local Governments

Maps and plats play a huge part in how a municipality is laid out, zoned, developed, and built. Maps assist in navigation of the municipality, while plats establish the boundaries. Because these record types can seem similar, it is sometimes difficult for local government employees to identify an appropriate retention series on the Local Government…

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RIM-Brain: Bats

Break out the orange pumpkins and black cats, because it is once again the spookiest time of the year. Let’s pick out the next RIM-Brain film from the movie library for the Halloween season. Now lets don our costumes, grab a bowl of caramel corn, and get ready to watch this year’s horror film. Here…

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Have Your Say! Help Shape the Future of Public Works and Elections Records

TSLAC is seeking informal comments on draft updates to the following Local Government Schedules: Everything you need is available on the Informal Review of Amended Local Government Retention Schedules webpage: ☆ Pay special attention ☆ to the Comments in the Preliminary Drafts where TSLAC requests your experience and opinion on certain record series in particular.…

Strategies for Developing Email Auto-Deletion Policies

How long should government entities in Texas keep email? It’s one of our most frequently asked questions, and like all our favorite questions here at TSLAC, the answer is, “it depends.” Though TSLAC has traditionally recommended the “sort and file” method, these days many agencies are hoping to simplify their operations by establishing an auto-deletion…

SLRM Customer Service Survey

Calling on all employees of Texas state agencies, local governments, and institutions of higher education! State and Local Records Management (SLRM) needs your help evaluating the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC). This survey is your opportunity to tell us how we’re doing. tsl.texas.gov/slrm/training/slrm-css25 Completing the survey should take you approximately two (2) minutes;…

Interview with Peter Kurilecz: Dallas Record Management Officer

For the past three years, as the analyst for the Dallas region, I have been fortunate enough to answer and rely on Peter Kurilecz’ questions and insight on record management in the state of Texas. I had the pleasure of conducting an interview with Mr. Kurilecz to explore his thoughts on records management and maybe…