An Investigation into the Management of Records at Records Centers: A comparative study of National Archives of Zambia Lusaka City Annex Records Centers and The University of Zambia School of Education Records Center

Abstract

The mere fact that records preserve and showcase the historical contents that is necessary in upholding the integrity of the nation means that the records must be kept in good condition while at the records center so that by the time they become archives they are not distorted in anyway. The management of records at record centers plays a huge role in ensuring the safe custody of the information contents of the records so that they can be used for reference purposes for as long as the records are needed by their creating agencies. This study was an investigation into the management of records at records Centers: A comparative analysis of Lusaka city Annex records Center and The University of Zambia School of Education records center. This was made possible due to the participation of six (6) records center staff, three from each record center. Data was collected from the participants using structured interviews. The findings reviewed that; the management of records at the two records centers varied to a large extent in terms of policies and infrastructure. Furthermore, the findings indicated that both facilities are not purposely built records centers. Objectives where established so as to identify; the type of records managed in records centers, the record management challenges at these records centers and lastly, to identify the legislative policies governing records at both centers. Henceforth, this study used a purposive sampling technique as this enabled the researcher to use their own judgment when picking participants of the population who are to take part in the study; qualitative data was collected through interviews and observations. The data collected was analyzed using content management system.