What is Records Management?

Records Management is a very important function in the daily operations of any institution. The process involves the creation and maintenance of records,classification, storage and retrieval, archiving, conservation, preservation and disposition.This process is critical to the efficiency and effectiveness of the institution. Records are managed from creation to disposition to provide information and documentation needed to ensure that vital records are kept safely and those records which are inactive or temporary are systematically removed from prime office space to eliminate clutter and for the effective utilization of office space.

—All paper, maps, exhibits, magnetic tapes, photographic films and prints and other documents produced, received, owned or used by an institution, regardless of media, physical form or characteristics.

(California records and information Management,2002)

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—Information is records copy if it:

—Consists of original documents

—Possesses official status as a record of the institution’s operation and administration.

—E.g Fiscal, administrative, legal, historical documents