The No-Nonsense Guide to Archives and Recordkeeping

Customers outside of North America (USA and Canada) should contact Facet Publishing for purchasing information.

ALA Member
$103.50
Price
$115.00
Item Number
978-1-85604-855-2
Published
2015
Publisher
Facet Publishing, UK
Pages
224
Width
6"
Height
9"
Format
Softcover

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  • Description
  • Table of Contents
  • About the author
  • Reviews

Ideal for professionals involved in the management of archives and records, especially if they are just starting out or without formal training, The No-Nonsense Guide to Archives and Recordkeeping covers all aspects of the practice. Based on the internationally renowned training days run by author Margaret Crockett and her business partner, the guide follows records' journey from creation, through the application of classification and access techniques, evaluation for business, legal and historical value and finally to destruction or preservation and access in the archive. It utilizes checklists, practical exercises, sample documentation, case studies and helpful diagrams to ensure a very accessible and pragmatic approach, allowing anyone to get to grips with the basics quickly. Divided into four main work areas, the book covers:

  • current records, including creation, filing, classification and security;
  • records management, including aims, risks, planning, preparation and delivery;
  • archives management, including collecting policies, intellectual property rights, appraisal, digitization and outreach; and
  • archival preservation, including policy, disaster prevention and repositories.

This one-stop guide will be essential for a wide readership, including archives and records assistants, librarians, information managers and IT professionals responsible for archives and records, and managers of archives staff.

Examination copies are available for instructors who are interested in adopting this title for course use.

1. Concepts and context

  • Archives and records: concepts and terminology
  • Record media and formats
  • Types of archive repository
  • The archives and records scene
  • Working with records and archives 
  • Record creators and archive users
  • Round-up

2. Managing current records

  • Introduction
  • Creation
  • Filing, classification and file naming
  • Use and tracking
  • Security
  • Vital records
  • Round-up

3. Records management

  • Introduction
  • Information management
  • Justifying records management 
  • Planning the records management programme 
  • Surveying 
  • Policy and procedures, implementation guidance
  • The role of legislation, regulation and standards
  • Developing retention schedules
  • Non-current recordkeeping systems
  • Disposal
  • Managing vital records
  • Handling legacy records
  • Initial review and on-going audit
  • Round-up

4. Archives management

  • Introduction
  • Collecting policies
  • Acquisition
  • Intellectual property rights for archives
  • Accessioning
  • Appraisal
  • Arrangement and description
  • Finding aids 
  • Automation and digitization
  • Access
  • Advocacy
  • Working with volunteers
  • Round-up

5. Archival preservation

  • Introduction
  • Policy and strategy
  • Creation conditions
  • Surveys
  • Storage requirements
  • Packaging, handling and access
  • Creation and use of surrogates
  • Disaster prevention and emergency planning
  • Conservation requirements
  • Preservation of digital records
  • Round-up

Margaret Crockett

Margaret Crockett is a qualified consultant in archives and records management with over 20 years of professional experience. She is a co-director of the Archive-Skills Consultancy, which offers guidance and teaching internationally.

"...an invaluable contribution to the everyday bookshelf of the archivist and recordkeeper"
— Archives

"Crockett writes with well-earned authority ... the book serves as an excellent primer, refresher, and reference guide for those without a formal background in records management and archival practice."
— Technical Services Quarterly

"While busy lone arrangers and archival volunteers may lack the time to dive fully into a book such as this one, it is nonetheless a valuable resource that these audiences would do well to have on their shelves for frequent consultation and guidance."
— Archivaria