AC 31.2018
September 27, 2018
MEMORANDUM TO FEDERAL AGENCY CONTACT: Essential Records Guide Updated
We are pleased to announce a new edition of NARA’s Essential Records Guide , formerly known as the Vital Records Guide. The original Vital Records Guide was written in 1996 and had not been revised in the intervening 22 years. Obviously much has changed since the original publication. One clear example is the term “vital records” giving way to “essential records”.
We are pleased to announce a new edition of NARA’s Essential Records Guide , formerly known as the Vital Records Guide. The original Vital Records Guide was written in 1996 and had not been revised in the intervening 22 years. Obviously much has changed since the original publication. One clear example is the term “vital records” giving way to “essential records”.
Other changes include:
- more information on modern formats such as electronic records;
- lessons learned from recent disasters;
- providing optional tools for use by agencies in managing their essential records;
- replacing obsolete information;
- downsizing the publication from 90 pages to 60 pages; and
- use of photos and illustrations;
The Essential Records Guide is now available on our essential records website. It is only available electronically -- NARA is not publishing hard copy versions. Additionally, the Guide will be posted on the FEMA Continuity Resources Toolkit.
Please contact us at prmd@nara.gov if you have questions, suggestions, or comments about the Guide.
LAURENCE BREWER
Chief Records Officer
for the U.S. Government