Sometimes, the Sunset Commission “sunsets” state agencies. But what does that mean? “In government, ‘Sunset’ reviews regularly assess the need for a state agency or program to exist. In Texas, the Sunset process works by setting an expiration (Sunset) date in law for state agencies. An agency will automatically be abolished on its Sunset date…
The records management assistance unit at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) receives many questions from state agencies when it comes to recertifying retention schedules. A question we commonly receive concerns the “R” code; what does “R – Archival Review” mean, and what does the State Archives have to do with it? TSLAC…
(Authors: Maria Freed and Sarah Swanson) ⚠Content Disclaimer The guidance provided below does not constitute legal advice. Instead, it is intended to provide general information as a resource for records management teams. Take a moment to think about the systems your local government or agency uses to manage its electronic records. What would your ideal…
by Erica Rice When we talk about records management on this blog, we often use the “R.I.M.” or “RIM” acronym as a shorthand way to refer to the “records and information management” field. Records management (RM) is no longer a siloed discipline; RIM practitioners need to manage records within the entire information landscape of their…
Data is everywhere—when we click, swipe, type, or Skype, data is created and stored into various databases. What happens when that data is breached, identities are stolen, privacy is lost, or loss of property occurs? For public agencies, data breaches can result in loss of confidential or valuable information. What does this have to do…
Are you in a similar situation to one or more of the cases presented below? ❑ Case 1: Our records management compliance files are from the 1990s or earlier. ❑ Case 2: We have several ordinances and/or letters from different periods instead of one document that has all our records management policy information. ❑ Case…
The local government schedules or your state agency’s retention schedule should list all of the types of records your local government or state agency creates or receives since the disposition of a record cannot be carried out if it is not included on a retention schedule. Even so, a time may come when you will…
Overhauling a records management system can be a daunting task. Understanding what worked previously, what didn’t work, and what new programs to implement are all elements in an office records management overhaul. There are a range of things to consider when revamping your records management program, including inventory, security, and disposition projects. Overhauling a records…