Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy Washington State Archives Presented by: Leslie Koziara Electronic Records Management Consultant April Management “What should I be doing?”

Have a game plan Identify what you need to keep How to organize s How to disposition s Overview Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

As public employees, everyone needs to have a level of responsibility for the public records they create and use Records Management is a team sport! Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Have a game plan Build your team –Coaches (records officer and managers) –Players (assign roles and responsibilities) Quarterbacks = records coordinators Defense/offensive players = end users Special teams = IT and legal Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Like a pro Game Strategy – Policies, procedures and standards prior to the game Develop your plays – Identify, organize and disposition s Prepare for end game – Organize to destroy or transfer – Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Goal! Successful organization and control is a win–win situation Agency benefits in lower costs and more efficient operations Employees benefit with better access and increased productivity Public benefits with transparency and prompt responses to any requests Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Is this your desktop? Black hole Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Retention in a Nutshell... Retain all public records for the minimum retention period as listed on the approved Records Retention Schedule Once retention is met : Destroy if not an archival or permanent series If permanent, take appropriate action to retain Transfer to Washington State Archives all archival records Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Why not just keep it all? There are increased costs when you keep it all: –Discovery and legal fees –Administration/staff for maintenance –Migration or recopying –Disaster recovery/restoration –Energy costs Think needle in a haystack: Less hay, easier to find the needle Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Re-educate on usage Employ meaningful subject lines Keep on topic, no digressing Reiterate appropriate use Keep only what you need to keep Train users what to keep, what to get rid of, and where to “file” it Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Cautionary notes If you are keeping only the last in a string, just be aware: –In a court of law, will the last one suffice as evidence of the entire string? –Any modifications to the string done prior to that last one? –How do you know? Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Just so you know…there is a difference Archiving Generally just “storage” rather than “records management” Typically lacks coherent filing structure Generally no records retention functionality included Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

A winning strategy for s Identify Organize Disposition Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Identify Using approved records retention schedules will help you: Identify records you need to keep Identify records you can get rid of Identify records needing additional attention Essential Archival Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

More identification How do you know what you’ve got? –Do an inventory –An inventory will help you identify essential and archival records but also identify records that may be exempt or confidential Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Don’t agonize, organize! Use your approved retention schedules Schedules tell you what to do What records need to be kept – by series Minimum required period of time to keep them What to do once retention has been met Any remarks or special instructions Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Electronic Record Life Cycle Create or Receive Record CONSIDER CONTENT If NO retention value Delete If NO retention value Delete Record / Save Properly ID If Archival Transfer Non-Archival Keep until retention met When retention is met, ID records for destruction DESTROY and document destruction Approve for destruction

Organize! Think electronic “file cabinets” Desktops and servers are digital “file cabinets” and should be used as such Just like traditional metal ones Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Create a game plan Create a “file plan” or “file structure” Link to retention schedules Pre-determined file folders provide consistency, centralization and organization Mirror the plan throughout – use same plan or structure for paper, , desktop, network drives and servers Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Set up the structure Can be as individual “drawers” – working files set up in folders in application Can be work group or section “file drawers” with folders set up on shared drive or server used by group Can be “central files” or “records center” – “file drawers” in a central repository for longer retention Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Organizing s – within application Individual users move s into pre- determined folders that match those on server or shared drive Good to set up as “working files”, or for records with no retention value Recommend “records with retention value” be retained on drives or servers Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

GS22005

Next level Additional folders can be set up to further define the content – easy to locate and search, still all under DAN # GS Mirror this structure on shared drive or server for records with retention value Be diligent with cleaning out records with no retention value in these “working files” and save primary copies to shared drive

Using application folders Remember: Recommended use is for short-term or temporary retention Mirror folders you set up on network server or shared drive Match up to retention schedules Use shared drive/server for records with longer retention Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Organizing in shared drive or network server Designated shared drive or server is used as centralized “file cabinet” or repository Users save their s into pre- determined folders in specific “drawers” Users can access in a centralized location Generally no active retention or disposition applied, but can set up system administrators to track files Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

It makes good sense Centralization is a good thing –One place, one folder, one retention –In event of staff turnover, other “life happens” scenarios, more accessibility Increased search capability for discovery and disclosure purposes Can apply consistent retention and disposition to stored records, can appoint system administrator to manage and track Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

Can look like this Create file “drawers” and create appropriate folders in a server or shared drive “electronic file cabinet” Marry up with appropriate retention schedules and mirror pre-set folders Conferences & Seminars GS22005

Next click Create appropriate file “drawers” and create the folders as necessary in which to “file” your information – all of these are still GS 22005

“Saved As” By using the.msg extension, it can saves record copy s electronically and preserve the metadata as well AND will save attachments Using classifications and naming conventions make it easier to search and locate the information regarding meeting room contract

saved using.msg extention in server along with other formats Drag and drop

BBy using the.msg extention, you are able to save s with all the other formats together in one folder, under one record series, under one retention and manage it as a whole One place, one folder, one retention Get rid of the silos!

Attendance and Leave GS03030

Another example Can add other records series as needed 6 year retention after end of fiscal year Delete after next completed eval

Local Gov’t CORE

Another example Additional file folders can be created as necessary under each record series Additional records series under a category can be added

Helpful hints Use existing retention schedules! Consult with users, enlist their input Work on keeping file names short and simple, yet make sense to users Keep file path/folder names under 255 characters & spaces, otherwise may have problems with access and retrieval Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

State unique example This series is ARCHIVAL - 9 year retention for agency, then transfer to archives Can identify certain files as exempt or other special handling

Local Gov’t example

This is a PERMANENT, ESSENTIAL and POTENTIALLY ARCHIVAL series and should noted and handled accordingly Also a PERMANENT, ESSENTIAL and POTENTIALLY ARCHIVAL series This is an essential record and should have additional back up. It also has a long term retention This series only has a 3 year retention, so can get rid of these files sooner

Take a deep breath No magic one-size-fits all solution Fixing it will not happen overnight Acceptance will take time It can be done without investing in additional technology You can do it!! Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy

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Washington State Archives: Partners in preservation and access Records Professionals Rule! Washington State Archives Documenting Democracy