Overhaul of Federal Record-Keeping Ordered by National Archives and OMB
On August 24, a major overhaul in the way federal departments and agencies manage and preserve their records was ordered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
In a directive to reform records management for the 21st century, NARA and OMB said that all agencies must begin to manage their records, including emails, in electronic format by the end of the decade.
The directive also requires each agency to designate a high-ranking agency official to oversee its records management programs and to ensure that all appropriate staff receive records management training.
Deadlines for complying with various parts of the directive are spread over the coming years.
Among the highlights of the directive issued are:
Overall, the directive lists a dozen actions to be taken by NARA and other agencies to assist all Federal departments and agencies in meeting the requirements set forth in the new directive.
Among the most important will be the Archives’ work with the Office of Personnel Management to establish a formal records management occupational series to elevate records management roles, responsibilities, and skill sets for agency records officers and other records professionals.
The directive is available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/memoranda/2012/m-12-18.pdf
The Presidential memorandum on managing government records, that was issued last November, is available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/11/28/presidential-memorandum-managing-governm
ent-records