Posts pertaining to Texas state agencies.
SLRM will conduct free introductory records management courses via Zoom for state agencies and local governments. These classes are free for Texas government employees. Visit our training page for registration instructions. NOTE: Your registration may be delayed as we review and approve registrants. If you have any questions, please reach out to rm_trng @ tsl.texas.gov.…
The creation of box labels is determined by the relevant information for storage. If the entity uses a third-party storage facility they will provide specific information to use in their system. Let’s go over what information could be used to create box labels for storage. Disclaimer: This article provides suggestions and ideas on the potential…
Have you identified the essential records in your office? Essential records are very important government records that have value in emergencies, are pivotal in protecting the health, safety, property, and rights of residents, and may document the history of communities. If essential records are damaged or accidentally destroyed, it may be very difficult or even…
The RMA team works with local governments, state agencies, and universities of all shapes and sizes throughout Texas. While resources and staff are applied differently in each records management program, there is a common idea of the Records Management Team. The Records Management Team is an effort to ensure records management knowledge, procedure, and training reaches all the staff in an organization. Records Management Officer The administration of the…
Disposition of records is a common and essential task among Records Management Officers (RMOs). However, at some point, RMOs will encounter the difficult task a step above regular disposition: getting rid of records that have been stashed away for decades. Nobody knows the content of the boxes or electronic files, and those who made them…
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…
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…
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…