Records Management Handbook (2^nd Ed.)

Records Management Handbook is a complete guide to the practice of records and information management. Written from a multi-media perspective and with a comprehensive systems design orientation, the authors present proven management strategies for developing, implementing and operating a ?21st century? records management programme. Where most available titles are biased toward dealing with inactive records, this book gives a balanced treatment for all phases of the record's life cycle, from creation or receipt through to ultimate disposition. The Records Management Handbook is a practical reference for use by records managers, analysts, and other information management professionals, which will aid decision-making, improve job performance, stimulate ideas, help avoid legal problems, minimize risk and error, save time and reduce expense. Special features of the second edition include: ¢ new chapters on record media, active records systems and records disposition ¢ new information on management strategies and programme implementation ¢ revised guidance and material on records appraisal and record inventorying ¢ expanded and increased information on retention scheduling, records storage and electronic forms.

Contents: Introduction: The records management function; The information life cycle; The evolution of records media. Records Management Improvement Strategies: Organizing an integrated program; Setting the scene for improvement; Management analysis part one: preparation, project management and data collection; Management analysis part two: analyzing, drawing conclusions, evaluation and implementation; Records inventory. Program Elements Implementation: Appraisal and retention scheduling; Vital records; Disaster planning and recovery; Forms management; Directives management; Reports management; Management of active records systems; Records storage; Records disposition; Archives records management; The opportunities and pitfalls of using technology in records management; Appendix; Index.

Ira A Penn is a Senior Management Analyst with the US Federal Government and the Editor of the Records Management Quarterly published by the Association of Records Managers and Administrators. An internationally known author and speaker, he is the recipient of the Emmett Leahy Award for records management excellence, and has been involved with management analysis and records management for over 30 years. Gail B Pennix is an independent consultant in Boston, MA associated with the Records Improvement Institute. The holder of an MLS from Simmons College in Boston and with 20 years of professional records management experience, she has taught records management at university level, authored several articles, and lectured at various seminars. Jim Coulson is President and Senior Consultant with Records Improvement Institute, Westboro, MA. He has been active in records management for 24 years as a record analyst, microfilm supervisor, filing systems sales representative, senior executive, and consultant. A developer of automated records management software, university lecturer, and author, he regularly conducts records management seminars for organizations throughout North America.