RMO workshops get into spring-cleaning, record transfers

As June 30 approaches, offices throughout the University will be closing the books and the files on the 2005-06 academic year. To help staff in charge of keeping the Universitys files in order, the Records Management Office (RMO) is offering two important workshops in May and June.

The first workshop, titled “Housecleaning,” is an end-of-the-year program to help office staff get a handle on their files. It will provide guidelines on what to keep, what to store, what to shred, what should go to the archives, and – most of all – how to get started on the task. Sessions are currently scheduled for 10 a.m. on May 15, June 5, and July 19.

The second workshop – “Your Office and the Harvard University Archives” – is an introduction to the mission of the University Archives and the many ways that offices can contribute to the continuing tradition of documenting Harvard University. Harvard’s official records extend with no major gaps from the founding of the College to the present day. This workshop covers how archived records can help offices with their activities, the history of the University Archives, and how and what to transfer. Sessions are currently scheduled for 10 a.m. on June 15, July 27, and Aug. 31.

All sessions are held in the conference room of the Harvard University Archives, Pusey Library. RMO provides coffee, tea, and bagels. For more information, or to register, call (617) 495-5961, or visit http://hul.harvard.edu/rmo/resources_01.shtml. The RMO will schedule additional sessions of either program by request, or tailor a program to fit the needs of individual University programs or departments with special records management needs.