Basic Records Management

Whether or not you realize it, you already have a records management program. The problem is, it may be doing more harm than good. If your records are filed in a haphazard manner, if you don’t know exactly what you have and where you have it, if it takes you too long to find what you need, if your office space is packed to the ceiling with file cabinets and boxes, if records are stored in unsuitable locations, if you throw away records too soon, or if you don’t destroy records often enough, you could benefit from spending a little time, effort, and resources on implementing a beneficial records management program for your office. The information in the following pages should help the elected or appointed county official or department head learn how to get a good grasp on records management for his or her individual office.