Catherine Hare

Development of RMJ

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine critically the history of Records Management Journal on its 20th anniversary; it aims to review and analyse its evolution and its contribution in the context of the development of the profession and the discipline of records management. The paper seeks to provide the context and justification for the selection of eight articles previously published in the journal to be reprinted in this issue.Design/methodology/approach – The paper utilises the contents of Records Management Journal (1989 to date) to present a thematic analysis of topics covered and their development over time, and statistical data (from 2002 to date) provided by the current publisher to assess quantitatively the use and impact of the journal worldwide. The paper then compares this with a series of key turning points in the records management profession.Findings – There is evidence that the initial aspiration for the journal to make an important and long‐lasting impact on the field of reco...

Records management practices in small and medium-sized enterprises: a study in North-East England

A survey study of 300 enterprises in North-East England yielded new information on the records management procedures in small and medium-sized enterprises. The survey showed that companies with more formalised management structures took a more organised approach to records management, and companies with various formal policies paid more attention to records management. Records management practices seemed to be independent of company size and industrial sector.

How to manage records in the e-environment

Introduction Copyright and libraries User permissions Licensing schemes Licensing agreements for electronic information Electronic copying and digital use of copyright material UK legislation EU documents International treaties Case law Copyright in the work environment (case studies) Further reading Useful organisations, addresses and web sites.

Maximizing Resources in Search of Quality: Identifying Factors to Enable the Integrative Use of IT in Teaching and Learning

SUMMARY The potential of information technology to provide teaching and learning opportunities in higher education has been heightened by the expansion of the sector combined with a reduction in resources and the consequent requirement to maximize the exploitation of expensive plant. Within aTeaching and Learning Technology Programme (TLTP) institutional project, a series of workshops were delivered to identify key factors which enable university staffs to become equipped and confident in using information technologies for all their activities. Progressing from group discussions to an individual action plan within the context of teaching quality assessment, participants produced a list of key issues which together need to be addressed. The three principal factors were senior management support, adequate resourcing (both physical and human) and staff development. To achieve quality provision in teaching and learning this range of factors needs to be brought together into an effective strategy involving a r...

BIAP: Balancing Information Access and Privacy

The Freedom of Information Act 2000, taken together with the Data Protection Act 1998, has created new challenges for those engaged in handling and providing access to records in public authorities.1 Freedom of Information has significant implications for working practices within archive and records management in these authorities and will necessitate far-reaching changes. Other recent changes in legislation and certain policy initiatives will add further impetus to this process. Foremost of these are the modernising agenda associated with the Local Government Act 2000, recent legislation concerning the interception of communications on public networks, and central government’s e-government initiative.2 In addition, there is the incorporation of European law on human rights into English legislation in the form of the Human Rights Act 1998.3 This establishes standards for all thinking on policy and legislative issues affecting human welfare. The essence of Freedom of Information is to facilitate general access to information held by public authorities. The essence of Data Protection is to protect the rights of privacy of the individual. Although the legislation has been drafted to accommodate these two sets of needs, and although they should complement each other, there is a potential tension for public authorities. This stems primarily from areas of ambiguity created by the practicalities of their implementation, between granting access to information while ensuring that privacy is maintained. Much will become clearer with practical experience of the legislation. With these thoughts in mind, the Balancing Information Access and Privacy (BIAP) project was conceived. It aimed to survey the early response in local authorities to these core legislative changes within their wider context, to assess what preparations were under way, and to gauge reactions to the need to balance providing access with protecting privacy. The project focused upon responses from English shire and metropolitan local authorities and their associated record offices outside of Greater London.

Developing a research profile: a case study from the United Kingdom

Records management was identified as an emerging research theme in the last Research Assessment Exercise return from the School of Information Studies, University of Northumbria at Newcastle. This article examines how, since then, the School has approached developing its research profile in records management and highlights issues applicable to other researchers in the subject area within the UK. The School’s medium to long term strategy for records management research is presented

RECPRO – developing a European records management programme

This article describes the genesis of a project to develop a European‐wide curriculum for electronic records management and explains its aims and progress to date. It is jointly presented by the members of the project team who each represent an institution in Europe where archives and records management is taught.

Continuing professional development for the information discipline of records management. Part 2: report of a research project

Presents the results of a research project into the continuing vocational education (CVE) training needs of records management practitioners. Makes suggestions on the implications for the career development of records managers and other information professionals. Highlights pertinent areas of other research not covered within the scope of the CVE research. Conclusions include the acknowledgement that there is some overlap of skills between library and information professionals and records management practitioners, and that, in the current business climate of perpetual change, organizations need an effective records management strategy operated by people with the appropriate skills.

Records management in the next millennium: conference report

Records management in the next millennium: the global perspective was the title of the 4th International Records Management Congress held in Edinburgh between 27 and 30 April 1998. More than one hundred delegates from four continents gathered at the Sheraton Grand Hotel to hear keynote addresses and papers from different parts of the world. But, as is usual at conferences, it was not only in the formal sessions that discussion raged about the challenges facing records and archives professionals as the year 2000 approaches. This report will highlight some of the key themes which emerged.

Lifelong learning and empowerment : a model in practice

In July 2000, eight BBC staff graduated from the University of Northumbria at Newcastle with an Advanced Diploma in Lifelong Learning (Records Management). This is the first award in a new and innovative framework aimed at meeting the needs of industry in a flexible way. Explains the model for lifelong learning awards, which focuses on the individual or group of individuals and their specific education and development needs, and evaluates its use as part of a training programme at the BBC. The evaluation, based on the views of the student participants, other BBC staff involved and staff from the university, is overwhelmingly positive. The award has had a significant impact on the roles and responsibilities of the BBC staff as well as the status of records management within the BBC. With the collaboration, support and commitment of all those involved, the model was successful in empowering participants both as learners and records professionals.