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LIS 416 — Archives administration & records management: Lecture Note

Library and Information Science · 400 Level

About this lecture note

This is the complete lecture note for LIS 416 Archives administration & records management, prepared for Library and Information Science students at 400 Level. You can read it online below, open it in the full viewer, or download the PDF for offline study. It pairs with the course's video lectures, so you can read and watch together.

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LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS LIS416 Archives Administration & Records Management (2 Units) Series 1 Foundations of Archives and Records Management Series outline • Part 1.1 Key Concepts in Archives and Records Management • Sub-Part 1.1.1 Defining Archives and Records • Sub-Part 1.1.2 Principles of Records Management • Part 1.2 Historical and Professional Foundations of Archival Practice • Sub-Part 1.2.1 Evolution of Archival Thought • Sub-Part 1.2.2 The Archival Profession and Its Roles • Part 1.3 Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Relevance • Sub-Part 1.3.1 Archival Theory and Core Principles • Sub-Part 1.3.2 Practical Applications in Administration Introduction Background Imagine a society without organised records: decisions would be lost, histories forgotten, and accountability weakened. Archives and records management provide the foundation for preserving knowledge, ensuring transparency, and supporting both governance and scholarship. This Series introduces you to the essential concepts and professional roots of archival practice, setting the stage for deeper exploration in later Series. Series aim The aim of this Series is to equip you with a clear understanding of the fundamental concepts, historical development, and theoretical underpinnings of archives and records management. Series synopsis We shall commence this Series by examining the key concepts of archives and records management, clarifying definitions and principles. Next, we will explore the historical and professional foundations of archival practice, considering how the profession has evolved and the roles archivists play today. Finally, we will conclude by analysing theoretical perspectives and linking them to practical applications in administration, thereby rounding off the Series with a balanced view of both theory and practice.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Series Learning Outcomes Upon completing this Series, you should be able to: • SLO 1.1 define the key concepts of archives and records management, • SLO 1.2 explain the historical development and professional foundations of archival practice, • SLO 1.3 analyse major theoretical perspectives in archives administration, and • SLO 1.4 apply theoretical principles to practical aspects of records and archives management. 1.1 Key Concepts in Archives and Records Management 1.1.1 Defining Archives and Records The term archives refers to collections of records that are preserved because of their enduring value for administration, research, or cultural heritage. Records are documents created, received, and maintained as evidence and information by an organisation or individual in the course of legal obligations or business transactions. Archives are therefore the final resting place of records that have been appraised as worthy of long-term preservation. It is important to note that not all records become archives. Records serve immediate operational needs, while archives serve long-term historical, legal, and cultural purposes. Fill in the blank: Archives are preserved because of their enduring ______ for administration, research, or cultural heritage.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.1.2 Principles of Records Management Records management is the systematic control of records throughout their life cycle, from creation to disposal or transfer to archives. It ensures that records are reliable, authentic, and accessible when needed. The principles of records management include accountability, transparency, efficiency, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. A well-structured records management system helps organisations avoid information overload, reduce costs, and maintain trust with stakeholders. For example, without proper management, organisations may struggle to retrieve essential documents during audits or legal proceedings. Fill in the blank: Records management ensures that records are reliable, authentic, and ______ when needed.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Pilot questions 1.1 1. Which of the following best describes archives? a) Records created for daily use b) Records preserved for their long-term value c) Records destroyed after use d) Records used only in legal cases 2. What is the main difference between records and archives? a) Archives are temporary, records are permanent b) Records serve immediate needs, archives serve long-term value c) Archives are created daily, records are historical d) Records are cultural, archives are administrative 3. Which principle of records management ensures adherence to laws and regulations? a) Accountability b) Transparency c) Efficiency d) Compliance 4. Records management controls records throughout their ______. a) storage b) life cycle c) preservation d) disposal 5. Why is records management important for organisations? a) It increases costs b) It reduces trust c) It prevents information overload d) It eliminates archives 1.3 Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Relevance 1.3.1 Archival Theory and Core Principles Archival theory provides the intellectual framework that guides the practice of managing records and archives. It is built upon principles such as provenance, which means maintaining records according to their origin, and original order, which means preserving

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS the arrangement in which records were created. These principles ensure that records remain authentic and meaningful, allowing researchers and administrators to interpret them correctly. Archival theory also emphasises the concept of life cycle, which describes the stages records pass through from creation to final disposition. By applying these principles, archivists can safeguard the integrity of records and ensure they serve both immediate and long-term needs. Fill in the blank: The principle of ______ requires archivists to maintain records according to their origin.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS 1.3.2 Practical Applications in Administration Archival theory is not merely abstract; it has direct relevance to everyday administrative practice. For example, when organisations design filing systems, they apply the principle of original order to ensure that records can be retrieved efficiently. Similarly, provenance is applied when records are grouped by the department or office that created them, maintaining accountability and clarity. In practice, archivists must balance theoretical principles with practical realities such as limited resources, technological changes, and user needs. This means adapting archival methods to suit both paper-based and electronic records, while still upholding the integrity of the archival framework. Fill in the blank: In practice, archivists must balance theoretical principles with ______ realities such as limited resources and technological changes.

LA-NET | ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO PLATFORM FOR POST-SECONDARY & HIGHER INSTITUTION STUDENTS Pilot questions 1.3 1. Which principle of archival theory ensures records are grouped by their origin? a) Original order b) Provenance c) Transparency d) Accountability 2. What does the life cycle of records describe? a) The stages records pass through from creation to final disposition b) The arrangement of records in their original order c) The grouping of records by provenance d) The destruction of records only

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