Reasons for Records Management

Space—In most counties, it is rare for a county office or courthouse to have all of the space it needs. Courthouses are bursting at the seams with old records stuffed into basements, storage closets, attics, and other more creative locations. Thus, it is cost effective for counties to implement a records management program.

Records Serve as a Legal Foundation—Local governments and the citizens they serve are both dependent upon good documentation to demonstrate their legal status. When disputes arise over legal issues, it is important to have good documentation to rely on. Local governments have an  important responsibility to preserve these records. Proper records management will insure these records are preserved and can be found when needed.                             

Historical Preservation of Documents—Counties play a vital role in preserving our nation’s history. The documents and records of local governments give us insights into the lives of our ancestors and circumstances of our times. With proper records management, the important records are preserved, the less essential records are destroyed when no longer useful so they do not take up available space. The records are catalogued and organized so that officials and the public can access them. The records are stored under proper conditions to enable long term preservation.