NARA Bulletin 2009-01

ATTENTION! This Bulletin has expired and is no longer in effect. For NARA's current guidance please visit https://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/bulletins. Please note that this page is available only as a technical and historical reference.

October 21, 2008

TO: Heads of Federal agencies

SUBJECT: Checklist of current NARA bulletins and list of records management guidance in effect

EXPIRATION DATE:September 30, 2009

1. What is the purpose of this bulletin?
   
   This bulletin lists National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) bulletins that are in effect. It also defines the overall structure for NARA records management guidance, and lists the guidance products that are in effect. The first table in this bulletin lists previously-issued NARA bulletins that are currently in effect. The second table identifies NARA records management guidance which is fundamental and required for sound records management practice. The third table identifies other guidance products which provide additional context, address specific implementation issues and describe recommended practices. The fourth table identifies FY08 updates to the General Records Schedules.
2. What are NARA bulletins?
    
   1. The Archivist of the United States uses NARA bulletins when transmitting fundamental records management guidance to agencies or when reminding agencies of specific records management responsibilities. This guidance helps agencies comply with recordkeeping laws and regulations. You can find more information about NARA's records management regulations in Subchapter B of Chapter XII of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The first bulletin of the fiscal year is a checklist of current bulletins and records management guidance products.
       
   2. Other NARA bulletins typically remain in effect for a duration of three years. Upon expiration, the fundamental guidance remains in effect until superseded. NARA may re-issue bulletins when guidance warrants particular attention due to circumstances (e.g. election, natural disasters, etc.) or changes in laws and regulations.
3. What other vehicles does NARA use to promulgate records management guidance?
   
   NARA also uses Memos to Records Officers from the Director of Modern Records Programs to convey recommended records management practices that agencies should consider incorporating into their recordkeeping operations. This category of guidance is contained in the third table.
4. How can I get more information about NARA bulletins?
   
   For more information about specific NARA bulletins, call the Lifecycle Management Division at 301-837-3560 or send your question to RM.Communications@nara.gov.
5. How do I know which records management guidance is required?
   
   NARA will identify in its promulgating document (NARA bulletin or Memo to Records Officers) whether newly-issued guidance is fundamental and required, or recommended practice. NARA also provides many timely and relevant information products to assist Federal agencies in performing their statutorily-required records management functions. NARA records management guidance is available on the NARA web site at http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/policy/guidance-regulations.html. Agencies may also wish to consult the media-specific Toolkit for Managing Electronic Records ( http://toolkit.archives.gov) which identifies NARA records management guidance products applicable to electronic records. The Toolkit includes not only NARA products but also products from Federal agencies, academia, and other sources.
6. How do I obtain copies of NARA bulletins?
   1. Paper copies. We send paper copies of our bulletins to the heads of Federal agencies. You can obtain additional paper copies by contacting the NARA Lifecycle Management Division at 301-837-3560.
       
   2. Electronic copies. We send electronic copies of our bulletins to Federal agency records officers. We also post all NARA bulletins on the NARA web site at http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/bulletins/.
7. How do I correct any mistakes in the mailing address?

To correct the mailing address for the head of your Federal agency, contact NARA's Policy and Planning Staff at301-837-1850.. To correct the mailing address for the agency records officer, contact RM.Communications@nara.gov.

ALLEN WEINSTEIN
Archivist of the United States

Table 1

Table 2

Table 3

Table 4