Begin with the End in Mind: A Records Management & Archives ...

Introduction
Your Records are Important to Texas
As a member of the Texas Legislature, the records created by you and your
staff and received in your Capitol and district offices document your unique
contribution to Texas history and culture. The records you create support a
specific business purpose and are evidence of the legislative process. Once the
records no longer serve their primary purpose, selected records are identified as having
enduring archival value and worth for long-term preservation. Such records contribute to our
understanding of government, preserve historical and cultural memory, ensure an informed
citizenry, and are crucial to democracy.
This manual is designed to assist legislators—and their staffs—to mindfully create, use and
maintain their legislative records to ensure that records designated as having permanent
value are identified and preserved. Establishing a strong records management program
within your Capitol and district offices helps assure that your records are more efficiently
transferred, accessioned, arranged, described and preserved by the Texas State Library and
Archives Commission. This guarantees their access and facilitates use by state government,
citizens, and researchers today and in the future.
This manual describes:
the role and mission of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
the importance of preserving legislative records for use by government employees,
citizens and researchers
the records life cycle
the concept of archival value
why creating and maintaining excellent records management practices for both paper
and electronic records is essential
how to prepare records for transfer
what to expect when transferring records to the Texas State Archives
the process governing privacy, closure of records and the Texas Public Information Act
what happens to your records once they go to the Texas State Archives
archival practices and how they relate to legislative records
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