1998 Index of Articles.

Subject Index

Archives Management

The Expanding Role of the Archivist

Charman, Derek

An English archivist/records manager discusses his views on the expanding roles of records and information specialists, roles which are still difficult to define even as the need for closer working relationships becomes more evident. The article also offers an examination of the emergence of records management in the United Kingdom and archives/records management concepts in the United Kingdom as well as, noting the influence of American practices. It is clear that value conflicts between archivists and records managers know, No time limits or national boundaries. The author, who is a records generalist, shows that the needs of both groups are complementary and that tone can bridge effectively both sides of the issues that confront them.

October 1998/Vol. 32, No. 4/p. 16

Automation

It Isn't Worth Your Time: A Critical Look at the Internet

Sanders, Robert L., PhD, CRM Penn, Ira A., CRM, CSP

The Internet revolution is upon us. As with most revolutions, however, the immediate benefits are somewhat elusive. In this article, the authors take a critical look at this most ubiquitous of information-handling tools and suggest that it may be more of a time waster than a time saver.

April 1998/Vol. 32, No. 2/p. 38

Development of Records Management

Change Is Here! What Are We Doing About It?

Ardern, Christine M., CRM

Change is something we all face all the time. At the present time there are trends to this change which will influence the future of records management. Records managers have an opportunity to identify the trends, determine how they will have impact on the future of the profession, and position themselves to influence the change.

January 1998/Vol. 32, No. 1/p. 10

Megatrends in Records Management

Stephens, David O., CRM, CMC

Today the professional discipline of records management faces the biggest challenge in its 50-year history. Records management is now at the "crossroads of change" because the fundamentals of managing document-based information in business and government are currently undergoing a historic transition of epochal proportions. Document-based information systems are now in the midst of a long transition from visible media to computer-based recordkeeping. This transition began in the early 1980s, has accelerated during the 1990s, and will not be complete for at least another decade. In view of this and other "megatrends," the central thesis of this article is that the records management discipline must immediately reposition itself as the premier professional discipline for managing electronic multi-media recordkeeping systems in computing environments. Because the boundaries that exist between physical and electronic records will remain murky and confused for another 10 years of so, the records management discipline and its practitioners are fortunate in that there is a sufficient window of time in which to make this transition. If the transition is successful, records management's future is assured; if not, its future is highly problematic.

January 1998/Vol. 32, No. 1/p. 3

Electronic Communications

The Internet: Classification Changes for the World Wide Web

Connelly, Jim, CRM

The workings and structure of the World Wide Web often seem an arcane subject only explored by the curious. But like the corporate records classification schemes that records managers deal with every day, the Web is now forced by growth and other needs to look at expanding its classification scheme to accommodate the increasing volume of Web sites. This article delves into some proposed changes being discussed by Internet service providers and the legal profession. One grave concern is that the Web may be headed down a narrow road of classification changes. The Web may be solving some of its current problems, but unfortunately it may, not be taking into consideration the global nature of its structure and its long-term needs. Our global information system may need some records management assistance.

July 1998/Vol. 32, No. S/Iv. 18

Managing E-Mail: Working Toward an Effective Solution

Enneking, Nancy E.

For one month, nine researchers in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Texas at Austin attempted to define the state-of-the-art in sound records management and archival practice as applied to Internet-based e-mail messages. They investigated the ways in which private and public industries and institutions implement e-mail records management principles from both a technological and a policy perspective. Observations of organizations that do manage their e-mail as records revealed four approaches which are discussed in the article. Recommendations for managing e-mail in the future are provided.

July 1998/Vol. 32, No. 3/p. 24

Intranets -- An Opportunity for Records Managers

Motz, Arlene A., PhD, CRM

With voice mail, e-mail, and the Internet, do we really need another communication medium in our offices? You bet we do, and this one is perfect for records manager. Intranets have the potential to provide records managers with access to company personnel and information as never before. Currently, there is a great deal of unrealized potential waiting to be tapped. Records managers have a fantastic opportunity to tap into and take advantage of the capabilities of this medium as it evolves with the organization.

July 1998/Vol. 32, No. 3/p. 14

Electronic Imaging -- Applications

Reality Check -- Lessons Learned

After Implementation of an Electronic Imaging System

Berndt, Vicki L.

In this article, the author shares insights gained from personal experiences with implementing an electronic imaging system. It is, not the author's intent to explain how to produce feasibility studies, requirements document, etc. Rather the author assumes that most of the groundwork has been laid for acquiring an electronic imaging system and attempts to make the reader aware of issues that may occur after system implementation. The information in this article should be considered prior to purchasing a system and, in some cases, should be addressed in the acquisition documents.

April 1998/Vol. 32, No. 2/p. 3

Electronic Records Management

Why Records Are Important in the Information Age

Cox, Richard J., PhD

This article provides an in-depth review of the subject of electronic recordkeeping and what it means to records managers. The author starts by questioning the basic definition of records, then looks at current research efforts in the field, considers why records are created and managed, and summarizes with a description of why records are important in the Information Age and the responsibilities of records professional in today's society.

January 1998/Vol. 32, No. 1/p. 36

Electronic Lab, notebooks: Paving the Way of the Future in R&D

Lysakowski, Rich, PhD Doyle, Leslie

Managing intellectual property records electronically can be a daunting task. For organizations that are regulated by the Federal Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and others, moving into the nebulous world of electronic records feels risky. However, electronic...