Introduction to Records Management

Records Management is the "field of management responsible for the efficient and systematic control of the creation, receipt, maintenance, use and disposition of records…" (ISO 15489-1:2001, clause 3.16). This course will provide an introduction to the principles and practices involved in managing records (both paper and electronic) in private and public sector organizations.The objectives of this course include ensuring that students can:

• Articulate what records are (whether in paper or in electronic form)
• Understand and analyze why people, organizations, and governments create and keep records
• Understand and analyze the impact (practical, economic and social) that records management has in organizational environments and government settings
• Identify traditional and emerging roles and responsibilities of the records manager, and articulate the similarities and differences between a records manager and other information professionals (such as archivists, librarians, digital curators)
• Understand and analyze the practical, legal, and ethical issues involved in implementing a records management program
• Understand and articulate policies and procedures for managing active and inactive records (in paper and in electronic form)
• Gain firsthand experience of designing an effective electronic record keeping system
• Understand the tools and national and international standards that enable records managers to carry out their job in a competent and comprehensive manner.