Their Records Officers made sure that their documents were backed up, on microfilm, offsite. They knew which records were important and took steps to safeguard them. Records John Hulmston spoke about the inventory process. He explained the importance of creating retention schedules for records and following those retentions. Administrative value reflects how long records are needed to perform their inherent administrative function.
All records have such a function.
Historical valuegenerally indicates that the records have long-term value for researchers. The typical disposition for these records is to transfer them to the State Archives. All four of these values are taken into consideration when establishing a retention. Values are eliminated if they do not apply, and the longest retention becomes the primary value for those records. This is the length of time that records are active and kept close by before they are sent offsite to the State Records Center or other facility.