Records and information created or received by the Government of New Brunswick are valuable and important assets. Records document the Government’s business activities to support better informed decision-making and to provide accountability by ensuring a complete record of all decisions are maintained.
Under the
New Brunswick Archives Act and the
New Brunswick Records Management Policy (AD-1508), records which are created or received and used in the course of government business must be properly managed, regardless of format (e.g. email, paper, microfilm). The Records and Information Management program ensures that government records are properly maintained during the active period of use; paper records are stored safely and economically during the semi-active period in the Provincial Records Centre and electronic records are securely stored on network servers; and records with archival value (regardless of format) are regularly transferred to the New Brunswick Provincial Archives.
Records Analysts in the Recorded Information Management Unit of the Provincial Archives advise and assist all government organizations in the management of their information resources. Records Analysts assist with the development of classification plans which organize information to allow for its ease of retrieval, and prepare records retention and disposition schedules that outline the life span of public records. Records retention and disposition schedules determine the period of time records remain active; the amount of time the records remain in storage; and their final disposition (either transferred to the Provincial Archives for preservation or the records are sent for secure destruction).
Records Analysts also develop corporate records and information management policies, procedures, guidelines and standards which can be viewed at
http://archives.gnb.ca/Archives/RecMan.aspx?culture=en-CA&Section=2.
Records Analysts are equipped to provide advice in the conversion of traditional records to new formats (digital images, microfilm) and in applying new technology to the management of records and information (e.g. electronic records and information management systems).
The Recorded Information Management Unit provides training in managing government records and information through consultations, regular workshops, and multi-day courses.
As part of New Brunswick’s Records and Information Management program, a
Records Management Network was established in 1991 to provide a forum which permits the exchange of ideas, the dissemination of information, and the achievement of common goals within the records and information management profession. This forum is open to all New Brunswick Government employees engaged or interested in activities related to this field. The
Network meets regularly.