A record has no inherent value. Through a process called appraisal, the functional and informational attributes of a record are analyzed and the record is assigned a value. Value is a quality of usefulness which is quantified as a period of time, and is used to determine the ultimate disposition of the record.
Records are, therefore, considered to have value only if they are useful.
This usefulness is based not upon a static set of criteria, but upon constantly changing constructs such as law, rights, responsibilities, accountability, statutes of limitations, and so on. Presumably, every record has this value to the office that generates or receives it. This value might be as temporary as the length of time that it takes to read it, or endure throughout the life of the office. Regardless of the reason, as long as a record is of use to the office or agency of custody, the record has administrative value. In each government office, money is generated, received, transferred, and spent.