Our Interagency Science Working Group has just released a publication titled, Establishing Trustworthy Digital Repositories: A Discussion Guide Based on the ISO Open Archival Information System (OAIS) Standard Reference Model. This guide, developed in collaboration with a team of archivists, records managers, data managers and scientists in Federal agencies, will help Federal agency CIOs, IT … Continue reading Discussion Guide on Establishing Trustworthy Digital Repositories
Category: General
Tool Spotlight: Records Control Schedule Repository
Have you ever had a question about the process for scheduling Federal records for disposition? The first step in the process is to complete an SF-115, Request for Records Disposition Authority and submit it to us for approval. After they go through the appraisal process and are approved by the Archivist of the United States, … Continue reading Tool Spotlight: Records Control Schedule Repository
ACT-IAC Releases Study on Social Media Retention Policies
This morning, an event is being held at the National Archives in Washington, DC to announce the release of an American Council for Technology (ACT) Industry Action Advisory Council (IAC) report on Best Practices Study of Social Media Retention Policies (.pdf link). The report was produced by the IAC Collaboration and Transformation Shared Interest Group. … Continue reading ACT-IAC Releases Study on Social Media Retention Policies
Transformation: What it Means For Our Customers
You have heard about it. You have seen the press release. You may even have read about it on the Archivist's own blog. But really, what does it mean to our records management customers? First of all, let's go back to what was said in our internal report that recommended the changes to our organizational … Continue reading Transformation: What it Means For Our Customers
OPM and Information Management Positions
We have heard from OPM that they are proposing a new occupational series to encompass information management positions in the Federal government. This came from an memo they have sent to Human Resources Officers in the government. The memo requests feedback to OPM on this topic. Because of our obvious interest in the topic, we … Continue reading OPM and Information Management Positions
2010 Records Management Self-Assessment Report Released
The 2010 Records Management Self-Assessment Report has been released and is now available on our website (.pdf). Recall that in May 2010, we issued the mandatory annual records management self-assessment (RMSA) to Federal agencies. This followed the pilot self-assessment that was completed in 2009. The goal of the self-assessment is to determine whether Federal agencies are … Continue reading 2010 Records Management Self-Assessment Report Released
Unauthorized Destruction
These are two words that records managers never want to hear. An unauthorized destruction occurs when records are destroyed or deleted in any of the following cases: Without an approved disposition; When the record has been approved for permanent retention; Prior to the end of the approved retention period (unless order by a court); When … Continue reading Unauthorized Destruction
Retirement of Dr. Michael Kurtz
A week ago today, Dr. Michael Kurtz, the Assistant Archivist for Records Services – Washington, DC (NW), announced his retirement effective March 3, 2011. His retirement comes after 37 years of dedicated Public Service, all of it at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). As you might imagine, all of us at NARA will … Continue reading Retirement of Dr. Michael Kurtz
Do you know about ISO TC46/SC11?
As you may know, NARA is a regular contributor in the development of records management standards. One of the standards groups that NARA actively participates with is the International Standards Organization (ISO) and specifically TC46/SC11 (archives and records management). TC46/SC11 is an ISO subcommittee comprised of representatives from over 20 member nations, which voluntarily develop … Continue reading Do you know about ISO TC46/SC11?
2010 Census Records Scheduling Update
Given public interest in the records accumulated during Census 2010, we are making the 2010 Census Records Schedule and the accompanying NARA appraisal of the records available for review and comment. An earlier discussion about the issues surrounding the appraisal process and the 2010 Census records appeared on this blog in May. The schedule lists … Continue reading 2010 Census Records Scheduling Update