Posts pertaining to Texas state agencies.
For the most part, the minimum retention periods set out in TSLAC’s schedules provide a specific amount of time that records must be kept. However, some record series have the retention period “AV: as long as administratively valuable.” How long should governments keep those types of records? Well, each government will need to make that…
By Michelle Johnson Sometimes as a state agency records management officer (RMO), you may find that your certified state agency records retention schedule needs to be updated before the next recertification is due. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has a process for this called a schedule amendment. It is similar to the…
By Michelle Johnson As public servants, records and information management (RIM) is a simple fact of life—statute applies to us all. However, regulation does not imply homogeneity, and RIM programs are as unique as the entities that create them. April is RIM month, and we at TSLAC want to take a moment to celebrate all…
by Brianna Cochran For state agency Records Management Officers or liaisons tasked with recertifying their agency’s records retention schedule, the process can seem a bit overwhelming. This article will help break the process down into more manageable steps. Note: This article only applies to state agencies. For local governments looking to customize their local retention…
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…
Records Series Item Numbers (RSINs) are the unique string of characters that TSLAC uses to identify each series on the State Records Retention Schedule (RRS) and its supplement, the University Records Retention Schedule (URRS). These are “theory documents” that are nonetheless published as administrative rules for state agencies. The heck does that mean? By “theory…
Agencies or local governments that are tight on storage space might look forward to speedily carrying out disposition on records that have met their full retention periods, but there are cases when reaching a destruction eligibility date may not put the records manager in the clear to destroy or transfer those records. In those cases,…
Are you looking to streamline your microfilm destruction methods? Do you already have a system in place? In any case, you might find these pointers below helpful to incorporate into your organization’s practices. Step 1: Make sure you have procedures in place. Will the destruction be done in-house, or will you hire an outside vendor?…