AOTUS: Collector in Chief

I am pleased to report that on Friday, August 24th, 2012, Jeffrey Zients, Acting Director of OMB and I issued the Managing Government Records Directive.  With lots of hard work on the part of National Archives and Records Administration, White House, Federal agency staffs and stakeholder groups, the directive charts new directions for the management of the records of the country.

Among the highlights:

• Federal agencies must manage all permanent electronic records in an electronic format by 31 December 2019 and must have plans to do so by 31 December 2013
• All agencies must manage both permanent and temporary email records in an accessible electronic format by 31 December 2016.
• NARA  will issue updated guidance on managing, disposing of, and transferring email by 31 December 2013
• All agencies must have records management training in place for appropriate staff by 31 December 2014; and
• NARA will 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.

This is an historic moment for all of us charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the records of the country are being managed in a manner that will allow current and future generations to hold their government accountable and to learn from the past.

Read the full post on the AOTUS blog.