Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1696584187766.pdf (Vanuatu)
Records Management / Archives Workshop Learning Outcome  Define Records  Records Management  Archives  Library  Right to Information  Proactive Publication  Filing of Personnel Files Defining Records (a) a record in writing; or (b) a document, manuscript and file; or (c) a film (including microfilm), negative, microfiche and facsimile copy of a document; or (d) a map, plan, graph or drawing; or (e) a photograph; or (f) a disc, tape, sound track or other device in which sounds or other data are embodied, whether electronically or otherwise, so as to be capable (with or without the aid of some other equipment) of being reproduced; or (g) an email, memo, opinion, advice, press releases, circular, order, logbook, contract, report, samples and models What is Records management?
Efficient and orderly control of the life cycle of records from creation, maintenance, use and disposition of records.

Records Management Benefits  Uniformity of filing system;  Standardization and control in the creation and revision of forms;  Proper filing facility and storage area;  Systematic and orderly transfer of inactive records;  Ease of record’s retrieval; and  Compliance to statutory and regulatory requirements.
Records Management Responsibilities Director General’s /Directors Creating and maintaining an efficient and continuous management program( this incudes implementing National RIM Policy and creating an agency RIM Policy) Records Officers Implement the program and oversee records inventory process and records scheduling Employee Responsibility If Management and the Records Officer are doing their parts… Employees will know what records they are responsible for, how long records are to be retained and where to go for answers.
FILING SYSTEMS Filing System A system of classifying into files usually arranged alphabetically or chronologically.

Filing Systems Compactness Simplicity Accessibility Economy Flexibility Indexing Safety Storage Area  Have a dedicated storage space  Decide which format to store electronic records and manual records.

 Keep storage areas clean and free of insects  Keep food and drink far away from records  Keep floors, tops of shelves and work desks clean  Consider keeping back up copies.
Retention Period The retention period of a document is an aspect of records management.

It represents the period of time a document should be kept or “retained”.

Government records can be kept in Government agencies for a period of up to “15 Years”.

Recap discussions  What is Records Management?

 Responsibilities  Filing System  Storage Area  Retention Period What happens after 15 Years?

We’ll come back after Lunch!

Bon appetite Everyone!!

What happens after 15 Years?


Disposal ‘Disposal’ means what happens to a record when it reaches the end of its life: What is an Archive?

1.

Records of organisations and individuals that have been selected for indefinite retention on the basis of their continuing value for legal, administrative, financial or historical research purposes.

2.

The name given to the repository in which an archival collection resides.

3.
3.

An organisation (or part of an organisation) whose main function is to select, manage, preserve and make archival records available for use.

What is an Archive?
National Archives of Vanuatu Criteria for permanent retention All public archives of the age of fifteen years or over (other than those which under any Act are required to beheld in the custody of a specified person or Government office) which in the opinion of the Archivist are of sufficient value to warrant their preservation as - (a) evidence of the organization, functions and transactions of the Government office in which they were originally made or received; or (b) evidence of public or private personal or property rights or civic rights; or (c) containing historical or general information, shall be transferred to the custody of the Archivist and be deposited in the National Archives.
Preparation of Records to transfer to National Archives Why physical preparation of Archives is important?

 To prolong life of records  To enable records to be located and tracked  To enable researchers to use the records without causing damage  To safeguard records not available yet to the public Handling Records with care during the physical preparation  Handle with care  Storage environment must be clean  Keep your hands clean and dry when handling records.
 Wear gloves when handling photographic prints Items you need to remove from records  Metals  Rubber & Plastic  Sticky Notes (Post it Notes)  Damage or lose papers  Papers stuck with adhesive tape or Sellotape  Glued Papers  Newspaper Clippings  Photographs and negatives within a body of a file  Maps and plans within a body of a file Metals Rubber and plastic Sticky notes (Post it notes) Damage or lose papers  Insert badly torn pages in polyester enclosures  Loose pages can be tagged in place in their file, without being put into polyester enclosures.
 Put pages with badly torn corners and unusable tag holes into polyester enclosures and replace them in the file.

Do not attempt to punch new tag holes or repair pages.

Example of a loose, torn page in a polyester enclosure Papers stuck with Sellotape Glued Papers Photographs and negatives within a body of a file Maps and plans within a body of a file Tag small, flat or folded maps and plans into their original position within the file.
The tagging must allow them to be unfolded and viewed by researchers without difficulty or removal of the tag.

If a small map is fragile or torn, put it in a polyester enclosure.

Polyester Enclosure  Archival polyester is the choice of professionals worldwide to protect Photographs, Maps, Posters, Certificates, Prints.

Listing Records  Not all records have to be listed one by one  You can list ‘batches’ or bundles of the same kind of record as 1 group; e.g.
a bundle of receipts or a batch of invoices  Files and folders of papers must be listed one by one  Keep a copy of the list and put one copy inside the box.

Boxing and Box labelling  Acquire Boxes  Fold boxes  Fill in files inside boxes  Put a copy of files list inside the box  Label boxes and put box number on the list  E.g.

 Box 1 PMO-DSPPAC…  Box 2 PMO-DSPPAC Ready for transfer to Archives!

Group Activity Archive or Destroy?

Have a look at the files in your folders.


As the filing officer for the Prime Ministers Office you are to decide which records can be retained for permanent preservation at the National Archives and which cannot be transferred to the National Archives.

If any of the documents should be transferred to National Archives then why would you want to keep the record forever?

Recap discussions  What is an Archive?


 Criteria to select records for permanent preservation  Preparation of Records to be transferred to National Archives Afternoon Tea Deposit Public Archives less than 15 Years The Archivist may allow the deposit in the National Archives of public archives of less than fifteen years of age if he considers that they are of sufficient value for deposit.
Public Archives and Records to be surrendered on demand The Archivist may from time to time inspect, any public records or public archives that are for the time being in the possession or under the control of any Government office and give such instructions as to their safe preservation and such advice as to their efficient and economical administration and management as he considers necessary.
Do not Destroy Archives without consent of Archivist No person shall destroy or otherwise dispose of, or authorize the destruction or other disposal of, any public archives of any kind whatsoever that are in his possession or under his control, except with the consent of Archivist.
Routine Destruction of Archives  Archivist may authorise immediate destruction of Public Archives with agreement from head of Government Office if:  The records do not possess any enduring value for preservation at the Archives  are not required for reference purposes in any Government office after action on them is completed Access to public Archives Subject to - (a) any written law providing for any information or records to be kept secret; (b) any conditions under which any archives are deposited; (c) any orders or regulations made under this Act, all archives deposited in the National Archives shall be available for public reference (National Archives Access Application Form) End of Day 1 Any Questions?
Day 2 Records Management / Archives Workshop Recap of Day 1  What do you remember from yesterday?

Recap Day 1 Day 2  Define Records  Records Management  Archives  Library  Right to Information  Proactive Publication  Filing of Personnel Files 2019 Part 1 Records & Archives Training (PMO Officials)             Recommendation 1.
Seek funding for 2 more days of training after an interlude to implement the training in 2 month’s time to ensure PMO becomes an example of “best practice” amongst GoV agencies for filing/archiving and to help .

Recommendation 2: Write a letter to DG Nimbtik re purchase of a shipping container to be set up on a concrete pad with interior with shelves and filing cabinets Recommendation 3.
Draft a Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Records and Information Management Policy and Procedures Manual as required by the Vanuatu National Policy on Records and Information Management (approved by COM 25th May 2018) Recommendation 3: Regular report to RTI Unit and Archives of any filing initiative undertaken ie purchase of 4 new filing cabinets for DGs Office and transfer of older cabinets to COM for use in COM Paper filing.
Recommendation 4: Ensure new JDs in CSU restructure detail responsibility for filing.

In DSPPAC structure investigate a full time position for a Filing/Archiving Clerk.

Recommendation 5: Ensure security of files by limiting officers with access to files.

Currently the gardener stores his grass-cutter, fuel, clothes boots and food in VPMU container with PMO files.
Recommendation 6: Develop File Key/File Plan/File Index for each agency Recommendation 7: Ask DG Nimbtik to instruct officers to include File Reference number on each document or on each received document for filing.
Recommendation 8: Plan a visit to PSO (compactus) and Reserve Bank who have very good filing/archiving systems and equipment Recommendation 9: 2020 Business Plans must include budget to buy filing equipment Recommendation 10: Secure contracted students and/or interns to assist with huge filing backlog in PMO Recommendation 11: Set up an MPM Filing & Archiving Working Group of the staff who attended the training.

This group can meet to identify blockages preventing sound Filing and Archiving Practices.
2020 Recommendation Tankiu tumas everyone!