What is Records Management?

Records management means the planning, controlling, directing, organizing, training, promoting, and other managerial activities involved with respect to records creation, maintenance, use, and disposition in order to achieve adequate and proper documentation of the policies and transactions of the Federal Government and effective and economical management of agency operations.

Objectives of Records Management

1. Accurately and completely document the policies and transactions of the Federal Government.
   
2. Control the quantity and quality of records produced by the Federal Government.
   
3. Establish and maintain mechanisms of control with respect to records creation in order to prevent the creation of unnecessary records and with respect to the effective and economical operations of an agency.
   
4. Simplify the activities, systems, and processes of records creation and of records maintenance and use.
   
5. Preserve and dispose of records in accordance with the governing statutes.
   
6. Direct continuing attention to records from their initial creation to their final disposition, with particular emphasis on the prevention of unnecessary Federal paperwork.
   
7. Establish and maintain any other systems or techniques NARA determines to be necessary to carry out an effective and efficient Records Management program.

HHS Records Management Information

Records Management Training Course (on-line)

The National Archives and Records Administration has developed "Records Management for Everyone", an on-line training course for all Federal employees. This course is available through OPM's USA Learning site and as a stand alone CD from the National Archives. All Federal employees are encouraged to review this course to introduce the basic concepts of records management. Please contact the NIH Records Management Officer at 301-496-4606 to obtain a copy of the CD.