Brad Houston, University Records Officer July 15, 2008

 Records: Recorded information, in any format, that allows an office to conduct business ◦ This includes s and IMs! ◦ Also documents business processes  Value of Record determined by content, not format!  Ask: “Does this document help me perform my job description?”

 Produced by UW Records Officers Council (UWROC), in conjunction with library staff ◦ Department heads here were consulted for input  Covers 44 records series (functional groups) in 9 categories  Effective immediately and retroactively ◦ Example: records with 10 years’ retention created in 1998 can be destroyed immediately  Prescribes MINIMUM retention periods ◦ Be aware, however, of legal liability

 Organized into 9 categories ◦ Administration, Collection Development, Special Collections, Circulation, Interlending, Information Systems, Publicity, Reference, Surveillance  Within each category, find the record type you need ◦ Examples: Call Slips, Donor Files, Registration Forms ◦ Record series names may not correspond to the names YOU use– read the description to determine functional similarity

GRS CategorySchedule ExamplesGML Departments AdministrationDirector’s Files, leadership reports, use reports, staff meeting minutes ALL Collection Development Patron requests, donor files, art inventory Collections and Tech Svcs (all), AGSL, Special Collections Special CollectionsRegistration forms, call slips, processing records Archives, Special Collections, AGSL CirculationPatron histories, overdue notices, stack management records Circulation, Shelving Maintenance

GRS CategorySchedule ExamplesGML Departments InterlendingInterlending recordsInterlibrary Loan Information SystemsStaff client records, patron statistics, ILL server, website Library Systems, Circulation, Interlibrary Loan PublicityNewsletters, Program Files Director’s Office, RIS, Multicultural Svcs., all public service depts. ReferenceReference Questions and Statistics, BI records All public service depts. SecuritySurveillance tapes, accident reports, patron incident files Facilities Management

 Official Record: The copy of record for audit purposes, record requests, etc.  Usually, author of document is the official record-holder ◦ Exception: Committee chairs are official record- holders for minutes, etc.  Only official records need to be retained for full period ◦ Convenience copies usually have shorter period, if any

 Record Schedules consist of: ◦ Description of the Series ◦ Retention period (original) ◦ Retention period (copies)  Retention periods include ‘triggering event’, i.e. when you start counting (creation, end of fiscal year, etc.)  If retention is marked “Destroy confidentially”, materials MUST BE SHREDDED or put in records management shred bins

 As with paper records, need to be scheduled and retained appropriately ◦ Includes s, instant messages, webpages, etc.  For long-term retention e-records, convert to neutral format (PDF/A, text) before transfer  For short-term retention e-records, do not format-switch unless appropriate ◦ E.g. software upgrade, etc.  Printouts of computer records are copies ◦ Can be destroyed once no longer needed

 Yes, this is a record, too! (Wis. Adm. 12)  Most is transitory and can be destroyed after small period of time  Some (reference requests, etc.) is routine, and should be retained 60 days or specific schedule length  Small amount of of historical value– save and send to Archives (via PantherFile, etc.)

 In general, Archives is interested in records that provide unique historical perspective on library activities and operations  Series specifically included for archives in GRS include: ◦ Director’s Subject Files ◦ Library Strategic Plans ◦ Newsletters ◦ Programming/Events Files

 Fill out records transfer form (available on Records Management website)  Contact Brad for records center boxes ◦ 1 file cabinet drawer=1.3 records center boxes  Put documents in folders; remove binders if possible  Create inventory of boxes ◦ Box-level is OK; folder-level is better  Arrange for pickup/transfer

 UWM now contracts with Kard Recycling and Shredding for confidential shredding  Pickup is 2 nd and 4 th Thursday of each month  Contact Brad to have shreddables taken to the shred bins/shred room  n.b. There is a limited amount of space in the shred room, so send shredding a little at a time if possible  Shredding is for confidential material only– NOT an all-purpose garbage pickup!

 May be covered by existing GRS ◦ Examples: Fiscal/Accounting records, annual reports, payroll information  May be covered by existing Library schedule ◦ Example: Cataloging/Statistical Files are scheduled at UWM, but do not appear on the GRS  May have been missed by both UWM RM and UWROC ◦ Often the case for specialty program files ◦ If so, contact Brad for records scheduling

 Received by Brad and Amy Watson, UWM Public Records Custodian  Supersedes ALL active records schedules  Records from series affected by Litigation Holds MAY NOT be destroyed until hold lifted  Most likely will affect ; probably does not affect most library records

1. Am I no longer actively using this record? 2. Is it an official or unofficial copy? 3. Has the triggering event for this series occurred? 4. Has the retention period for this record passed? 5. Does this record need to be sent to the archives? 6. Does this record need to be destroyed confidentially?

 off/records/schedules/UW.System.Library.Schedule.pdf off/records/schedules/UW.System.Library.Schedule.pdf ◦ The Library/Archives GRS itself  ◦ UWM Record Management, with tips (and this presentation!)  ◦ Records Management Guidelines from UWSA