Digital Communications
The guidance provided here outlines best practices on managing electronic communications as public records, including e-mails, text messages and instant messages, social media, and websites. It also includes links to the State of North Carolina's web and social media archiving programs.
Email as a Public Record
Records created, sent, and received through email systems should be managed in agreement with the established legal requirements for creating, maintaining, and disposing of all government records. This guidance helps users classify email messages and provides guidance on retaining email messages to satisfy business needs, programs, and record-keeping requirements.
Text Messages
Text and Instant Messaging
Digital communications sent and received by public employees, during the course of business, are public records. As such, they must be managed in accordance with North Carolina public records law. Due to the design and implementation of most digital communications platforms, there are certain challenges associated with managing records created or received on them. This guidance gives an overview of these challenges and how government agencies can approach them.
Websites and Social Media
North Carolina Website and Social Media Archive
The North Carolina State Government Website and Social Media Archives are a service of the State Archives of North Carolina and the State Library of North Carolina and overseen by a committee of staff from both institutions. The program’s goals are:
- To create and maintain an archive of North Carolina state government agency websites and social media sites.
- To provide open access to the archives for the public and government agencies.
The archiving program is available to any state agencies wishing to participate.