Electronic Records Management Guidelines
Digital Media
Annotated List of Resources
Primary Resources:
Beyers, Fred R. Information Technology: Care and Handling for the Preservation of CDs and DVDs - A Guide for Librarians and Archivists. NIST Special Publication 500-252. Gaithersburg, MD: National Institute of Standards and Technology; Washington, D.C.: Council on Library and Information Resources. October 2003.
http://www.foray.com/images/pdfs/CDandDVDCareandHandlingGuide.pdf
This guide discusses the physical characteristics of various optical media, as well as methods for their proper care and handling to ensure longest possible use in any given environment. A useful glossary is included.
The PC Technology Guide. United Kingdom: Dave Anderson, 2001.
http://www.pctechguide.com
This site is a comprehensive resource on all aspects of the personal computer. Topics include hardware, software, computer use, and digital media.
Webopedia.
http://webopedia.internet.com
This comprehensive online encyclopedia for the information technology community provides an easy-to-understand, searchable database of terms.
Additional Resources:
International Council on Archives. Guide for Managing Electronic Records from an Archival Perspective. France: International Council on Archives, 1997.
http://www.ica.org/biblio/cer/guide_eng.html
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of electronic records management from an archival perspective. The handbook provides useful information on key concepts, such as life-cycle management, legal issues, technological issues, and implementation.
COOL (Conservation Online): Electronic Storage Media.
http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/bytopic/electronic-records/electronic-storage-media
These pages are part of the Conservation OnLine, Resources for Conservation Professionals web site at Stanford University. This web page is a collection of materials from other sources about electronic conservation, including resources on disaster recovery, electronic media, electronic formats, and storage environments.
Bell, R. and A. Waugh. "VERS Standard for the Management of Electronic Record Formats, Appendix Four: Digital Storage Media." In Standard for the Management of Electronic Records. Version 1.0. North Melbourne, Australia: State of Victoria, 2000.
http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/vers/standard/ver1/99-7-3toc.htm
An appendix to the State of Victoria (Australia) standard for electronic records management outlines the digital media available for electronic records storage.
Minnesota Historical Society, State Archives Department. Trustworthy Information Systems Handbook. Version 4, July 2002.
http://www.mnhs.org/preserve/records/tis/tis.html
This handbook provides an overview for all stakeholders involved in government electronic records management. Topics center around ensuring accountability to elected officials and citizens by developing systems that create reliable and authentic information and records. The handbook outlines the characteristics that define trustworthy information, offers a methodology for ensuring trustworthiness, and provides a series of worksheets and tools for evaluating and refining system design and documentation.
Puglia, S. "Creating Permanent and Durable Information: Physical Media and Storage Standards." CRM: Cultural Resource Management 22 (1999): 25-27.
http://crm.cr.nps.gov/archive/22-2/22-02-10.pdf
Refer to this web page for a list of references on creating and storing records, including paper records, microfilm, and electronic records.
U.S. General Services Administration. "Applying Technology to Record Systems: A Media Guideline." Information Resources Management Services, KML-93-1-R. (Washington, D.C., 1993).
Published in 1993, this booklet from the federal government provides an overview of digital storage media considerations. Topics include an introduction to concepts and definitions of storage options, physical properties of different media (e.g., paper, microfilm, digital storage, magnetic media, optical media), organization records, capturing and converting records, and cost considerations.
Electronic Document Management Systems
Electronic Records Management Guidelines, March 2004, Version 4.
