Records and Information Management

by Patricia C. Franks

Benefiting LIS students and professionals alike, Franks presents complete coverage of the records and information lifecycle model. Encompassing paper, electronic (databases, office suites, email), and new media records (blogs, wikis), as well as records residing in “the cloud” (software as a service), the text addresses a full range of topics, including

The origins and development of records and information
The discipline of information governance
Creation/capture, classification, and file plan development
Retention strategies
Access, storage, and retrieval
Electronic records and electronic records management systems
Emerging technologies such as web records, social media, and mobile devices
Vital records, disaster preparedness and recovery, and business continuity
Monitoring, auditing, and risk management
Inactive records management, archives, and long-term preservation
Education and training
Developing a strategic records management plan

Genres: Nonfiction, School, Textbooks, Professional Development, Library Science

424 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

From 2 stars to 5 stars in a few short years. Guess that's the difference between being a grad student in library school and being a RIM practitioner.

Frank writes expertly on RIM and IG issues. Being from ALA Press, she covers some of the softer skills involved with records management. It's slightly out of date at this point, but most of the guidance is timeless. Most of the paradigms and perspectives are good reads. I hope I get to meet Franks one day and tell her I like her book!

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really no one should read this book unless they are interested in records management (but you knew that already, right?). In my case, the last time I read a records management text book was in library school circa 2001 or 2002, and since I am a professional records manager (and archivist, and librarian), I figured I should refresh my skills. There is a lot to like here. Franks does a good job of linking the traditional profession of records management to the new world of information management. The book is well organized with a helpful overview of a huge number of topics and will definitely be something I come back to as a reference for work. I also really liked the case study written by a different professional in the field at the end of each chapter. There are also some things to criticize here -- this is a 2018 update of the original 2013 text, and sometimes the melding of old and new seems to have led to repetitions or awkward insertions. It is also very focused on government and corporate settings with very little about higher ed, non-profit, or smaller institutions. There is some information on archives in here (which, yay!) that is kind of odd and not what I would consider to be best practices as a professional archivist (boo!). Like, does anyone really think JPEG2000 is the best format for long term preservation of images anymore? Even in 2013? And there are *a lot* of examples from the UK and Scotland, which appear to be tied to the author's personal research trips to archives there. Ah well, this book isn't called Archival Management, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. For the most part, if you are a working or aspiring records manager, this is probably a good one to have on your shelf.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for my MLIS Records Management class.
The book is well organized with a helpful overview of a huge number of topics and included case studies written by a different RM professional at the end of each chapter. However, this book is very focused on government/corporate settings which felt weirdly/narrowly focused.
For an introduction to this field, it was super helpful! Though to me it was a bit boring at times.

[Hannah C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oof, this was rough. Unengaging subject matter, and slightly rambling writing style. I often wondered at the author's assertions; she would refer to a concept, organization, etc., before actually introducing and explaining it. I'll probably use it for reference in the future and I definitely learned things I hadn't known before, but that's it.

[Aaron Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed content that breaks down all of the essentials of RIM and has excellent examples of policies and case studies that are great references for RIM professionals. This book serves as a much needed refresher for an archivist turned records manager.

[Mary Bronson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I had to read it for class and was understandable.

[Callie Swan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so boring, only read because of school.

[Kaylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for class so I am counting it, gall darnit. It focused on compliance and was boring but I learned a lot

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it weird to love a textbook especially a records management one? Well, I love this textbook. Whenever I have a records management question, I refer first to Patricia Franks above any other author in my specialty. This textbook figured heavily in my CRM studying and note carding. I honestly don't think that I would have passed my exams without this book. It's well written, informative, and laid out nicely. I can't recommend this textbook enough to those look to complete the CRA/CRM exams or have a basic understanding of information governance.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad to put this one back on the shelf. Useful resource for anyone managing records in a public or private organization.