Electronic Records in Local Government Agencies
The retention and disposition schedules produced by the Records Analysis Unit are format-neutral, so specific types of electronic records like databases or spreadsheets or PDFs are not listed in the schedule. Instead, what matters is the content of the records. So a PDF that is the record copy of a governing board’s minutes should be retained permanently.
The Digital Records Section has produced a number of best practices and guidance documents for the creation and maintenance of electronic records.
We encourage all local government agencies, especially those that have electronic records they must retain for longer than 10 years, to have an approved electronic records policy in place. To assist in this process, we have produced a sample policy that identifies the issues and procedures that should be addressed.
Records management analysts are available to review drafts of these policies. Once it is complete and approved at the local level, it should be submitted for the approval of the Assistant State Records Administrator. Policies may be submitted in electronic form via e-mail to a Records Management Analyst or in written form:
State Records Center
4615 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4615
If local government agencies have paper records you wish to scan and retain electronically rather than on paper, in addition to having an approved electronic records policy, you must also submit a Request for Disposal of Original Records Duplicated by Electronic Means. Please note: records that are created on paper and have a permanent retention will not receive authorization for destruction.