How many duplicates of a record must a government keep for the full retention period? In terms of records management laws and rules, one copy of a record must be kept for the full retention period, and we call this the “official record copy.” Any identical copies of the official record copy are considered “convenience…
Records and information management programs are at the heart of every organization. Records contain information that staff need to continue operations, complete daily tasks, and provide reasoning for an organization’s actions. Good records and information management ensures that stakeholders are satisfied that they have proper access to the information they need. Additionally, protecting records ensures…
Understanding what meets the definition of a “local government record” is important for a local government employee (especially a Records Management Officer). This is because your entity’s local government record is a record that you’re required to keep for a certain amount of time based on laws, rules, and standards associated with the Texas State…
When entering the records management world, it doesn’t take long to figure out that it is generally difficult for records leaders to obtain buy-in from others in their office. We’ve heard from many records leaders that staff don’t feel records management is pertinent to their job’s responsibilities, the term “records management” sounds too dated to…
The following information is based on my experience per my assigned roles on an internship project that consisted of following a Record Management Officer’s (RMO) procedures to convert physical records to electronic, implement consistent and clear file naming systems, and properly dispose of confidential records. I worked coincide with other team members. My term was…
Starting an imaging project might feel strenuous. However, it can be a fairly entertaining project for staff if it is managed correctly. How? As one my favorite professors ensured we understood… Incentives matter. Mrs. Patty This article will go over some practical tips for obtaining buy-in from your imaging staff that you may have not…
Creation and maintenance of an information management disaster plan is a never-ending task. While it can be cumbersome, hard to obtain buy-in, and require an upfront cost, it is one of the most important documents that your office can create. Protecting your information is protecting your assets. You will be able to continue operations and…
(Author: Rebecca Hanna, Coauthor: Erica Siegrist) In April 2020, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) released answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Records Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic. This article will answer the same questions to provide Texas-specific guidance for state agencies and local governments. Records Management Related to Teleworking How should Texas…