Authentic Electronic Records: Strategies for Long-Term Access

Authentic Electronic Records, Strategies for Long-Term Access, by Dr. Charles Dollar, is a pioneering new research study that focuses on the most important information management problem in the new millennium: the long-term storage of electronic records. Published by Cohasset Associates, Inc., this comprehensive 248 page study is the only book that focuses exclusively on the all-important information management issue of storing electronic records -- so that their complete contents, context and structure are accessible at any time, no matter how long they are retained.

Authentic Electronic Records addresses the key legal, technical and operational issues relating to the long-term access of digital records. It provides a thoroughly researched, "how-to-do" approach to developing a realistic long-term access strategy for managing electronic records over time.

Authentic Electronic Records gives you the background and understanding of the many issues in order to make the decisions that are right for your organization and its records. Authentic Electronic Records walks you step by step through the challenges and details the options for addressing this critically important information management problem.

In Authentic Electronic Records, you will learn about: Realize the conceptual foundation that eight important electronic records studies have established.

• Learn to differentiate between electronic documents and electronic records.
• Understand makes electronic material into an authentic electronic record.
• What technological obsolescence really means.

Options and Alternatives for Access Over Time to Authentic Electronic Records

• How the Archival Preservation Domain helps you understand what is required for access over time
• What conceptual elements form the essence of any long-term access strategy
• How to effectively address incompatible systems during migration.

Author Biography: Charles Dollar is an internationally renowned scholar, educator and expert on electronic records management and archives. As a consultant, he serves clients throughout the world. From 1994 to 1999 he was an Associate Professor in the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies at the University of British Columbia. Prior to that, Charles Dollar was a member of the National Archives and Records Administration staff where he lead research projects involving digital technologies. He is the recipient of a special commendation from the Society of American Archivists for his book The Impact of Information Technologies on Archival Principles and Methods (1992). Charles Dollar has been awarded the 2005 Emmett Leahy Award.