Bert Vallee—A 20th Century Adventure(r) in Zincology

Bert Lester Vallee (1919–2019) has been among the most important biochemists of the 20th century, a pioneer in metalloproteins and discoverer of numerous zinc proteins and enzymes, such as carboxypeptidase, alcohol dehydrogenases and metallothioneins. His scientific achievements are condensed in over 600 publications, and articles relying on and citing his research are suited to fill entire bookshelves. Although Bert Vallee, as a scientist, has left a significant legacy on science, his more personal side and encounters have mostly escaped public observation. We deem this oversight rather unfortunate, as his personality, and indeed personal circumstances, have been truly turbulent and must have influenced his scientific career, from his birth as Bertold Blumenthal in the small village of Hemer in post-World War I Germany via Switzerland to New York and then Boston. Together with public records, the less obvious attributes and actions recommend a more holistic biography. On the occasion of Bert Vallee’s 100th birthday in 2019, we have attempted to provide such an inclusive and rounded résumé. We also propose that a similar rounded approach will add additional layers to the biographies of contemporary scientists, considering social, economic, political, and historical environments and their mutual interactions, which tend to shape the scientist embedded in them.

The Utilisation and Perceived Value of Archives: New Zealand’s Recordkeeping Standards by Public Sector Recordkeepers

<p>Archives New Zealand has issued and revised seven recordkeeping standards since the passing of the Public Records Act 2005, four of which are mandatory compliance standards for all public offices and local authorities. Public sector recordkeepers are charged with achieving their organisations’ compliance with the Public Records Act but no research has been done into the utilisation and perceived value of these standards by this group. This project aimed to reveal how widespread utilisation of Archives New Zealand’s recordkeeping standards is and how valuable public sector recordkeepers believe the standards are by seeking evidence of utilisation of the standards, reasons behind this utilisation or lack thereof, and perceived drivers and/or barriers to the standards’ utilisation. A quantitative survey research approach was taken to obtain data from public sector recordkeepers. The research found that the standards are being used by many recordkeepers and for multiple purposes within organisations. The mandatory standards are the most utilised and compliance to the Public Records Act the biggest driver behind utilisation. Overall the standards are deemed valuable, but opinions are conflicting concerning the style and content of the standards. Further research into this area is recommended to provide more detailed results about the standards as individual entities.</p>

The Utilisation and Perceived Value of Archives: New Zealand’s Recordkeeping Standards by Public Sector Recordkeepers

<p>Archives New Zealand has issued and revised seven recordkeeping standards since the passing of the Public Records Act 2005, four of which are mandatory compliance standards for all public offices and local authorities. Public sector recordkeepers are charged with achieving their organisations’ compliance with the Public Records Act but no research has been done into the utilisation and perceived value of these standards by this group. This project aimed to reveal how widespread utilisation of Archives New Zealand’s recordkeeping standards is and how valuable public sector recordkeepers believe the standards are by seeking evidence of utilisation of the standards, reasons behind this utilisation or lack thereof, and perceived drivers and/or barriers to the standards’ utilisation. A quantitative survey research approach was taken to obtain data from public sector recordkeepers. The research found that the standards are being used by many recordkeepers and for multiple purposes within organisations. The mandatory standards are the most utilised and compliance to the Public Records Act the biggest driver behind utilisation. Overall the standards are deemed valuable, but opinions are conflicting concerning the style and content of the standards. Further research into this area is recommended to provide more detailed results about the standards as individual entities.</p>

Trust in Recordkeeping

<p>Research Problem: Compliance in recordkeeping is essential, especially in public service organisations that are required to comply with the Public Records Act (PRA) of New Zealand, which lays down strict guidelines for recordkeeping to aid in transparency in government. Records must be comprehensive and complete, as well as authentic and reliable. People are less likely to use a system if they do not trust it. There are various factors influencing compliance; this research examines trust in the recordkeeping system itself, and the factors that enhance or diminish trust. Methodology: This quantitative research was conducted using an online questionnaire in March of 2014. It was disseminated via New Zealand’s listserv for the recordkeeping community and it was sent to records managers because they understand the PRA, and have a holistic view of recordkeeping; and also would have an overview of staff compliance and attitudes. Text questions were included at the end, giving people an opportunity to explain or expand on their answers. Findings: Results were varied, reflecting the diversity of organisations affected by the PRA as well as diversity in standards of recordkeeping and compliance. Some results were clear, with all respondents seeing the benefit of support from management. Different problems were experienced in different organisations, and strategies to enhance trust and consequences of mistrust were listed. Implications: With increased knowledge about the factors affecting trust in recordkeeping systems, as well potential solutions, records managers can have a better chance of running or implementing a successful system. People factors play a large role in the success of a system, and record managers need to find ways to achieve user buy-in. Different solutions work in different organisations. Further research into the other factors affecting compliance in recordkeeping systems is indicated.</p>

Trust in Recordkeeping

<p>Research Problem: Compliance in recordkeeping is essential, especially in public service organisations that are required to comply with the Public Records Act (PRA) of New Zealand, which lays down strict guidelines for recordkeeping to aid in transparency in government. Records must be comprehensive and complete, as well as authentic and reliable. People are less likely to use a system if they do not trust it. There are various factors influencing compliance; this research examines trust in the recordkeeping system itself, and the factors that enhance or diminish trust. Methodology: This quantitative research was conducted using an online questionnaire in March of 2014. It was disseminated via New Zealand’s listserv for the recordkeeping community and it was sent to records managers because they understand the PRA, and have a holistic view of recordkeeping; and also would have an overview of staff compliance and attitudes. Text questions were included at the end, giving people an opportunity to explain or expand on their answers. Findings: Results were varied, reflecting the diversity of organisations affected by the PRA as well as diversity in standards of recordkeeping and compliance. Some results were clear, with all respondents seeing the benefit of support from management. Different problems were experienced in different organisations, and strategies to enhance trust and consequences of mistrust were listed. Implications: With increased knowledge about the factors affecting trust in recordkeeping systems, as well potential solutions, records managers can have a better chance of running or implementing a successful system. People factors play a large role in the success of a system, and record managers need to find ways to achieve user buy-in. Different solutions work in different organisations. Further research into the other factors affecting compliance in recordkeeping systems is indicated.</p>

Recordkeeping in council-controlled organisations: An investigation into local body involvement and the implementation of formal recordkeeping programmes

<p>In New Zealand council--‐controlled organisations (CCOs) play an important role in the conduct of local government’s affairs, and in recognition of this they are subject to the Public Records Act 2005. The purpose of the study is to investigate the extent to which local bodies are involved in CCO recordkeeping programmes, the motivations for and barriers to their involvement, and whether formal recordkeeping programmes are being implemented in CCOs. The study used an online questionnaire to collect data from CCOs and staff overseeing recordkeeping in local bodies. The results show that though some local bodies take part in CCO recordkeeping programmes, involvement is often occasional and not necessarily grounded in a formal agreement. In some cases perceptions about the status of CCOs apparently drive involvement, while a lack of guidance, decision--‐making and resources can inhibit participation. Small CCOs in the completed sample did not show strong signs of having implemented formal recordkeeping programmes, but due to the response rate this finding cannot be generalised to all CCOs. The study brings attention to previously undocumented issues with CCO recordkeeping, and presents the case that CCOs and local body recordkeepers are in need of appropriate advisory support. There is still much that is unknown about CCOs’ attitudes to toward their legal recordkeeping obligations, the barriers they face to implementing formal recordkeeping programmes, and the assistance they require.</p>

Recordkeeping in council-controlled organisations: An investigation into local body involvement and the implementation of formal recordkeeping programmes

<p>In New Zealand council--‐controlled organisations (CCOs) play an important role in the conduct of local government’s affairs, and in recognition of this they are subject to the Public Records Act 2005. The purpose of the study is to investigate the extent to which local bodies are involved in CCO recordkeeping programmes, the motivations for and barriers to their involvement, and whether formal recordkeeping programmes are being implemented in CCOs. The study used an online questionnaire to collect data from CCOs and staff overseeing recordkeeping in local bodies. The results show that though some local bodies take part in CCO recordkeeping programmes, involvement is often occasional and not necessarily grounded in a formal agreement. In some cases perceptions about the status of CCOs apparently drive involvement, while a lack of guidance, decision--‐making and resources can inhibit participation. Small CCOs in the completed sample did not show strong signs of having implemented formal recordkeeping programmes, but due to the response rate this finding cannot be generalised to all CCOs. The study brings attention to previously undocumented issues with CCO recordkeeping, and presents the case that CCOs and local body recordkeepers are in need of appropriate advisory support. There is still much that is unknown about CCOs’ attitudes to toward their legal recordkeeping obligations, the barriers they face to implementing formal recordkeeping programmes, and the assistance they require.</p>

Taming the Wild West: Capturing Public Records Created on Social Media Websites

<p>Social media has become entrenched in public as well as private life. This new media defies recordkeeping conventions, creating a new set of challenges for records managers. This research project aimed to discover what methods government agencies in Australia are using to capture public records created on social media sites. It explored the effect of internal and external factors on social media recordkeeping and used the Records Management Continuum Model to examine the extent to which records are being captured. Using a quantitative design comprising a voluntary online questionnaire targeted at government records managers in Australia, it was found that so far only a minority of agencies are capturing social media records and even less believe that their methods are sustainable or compliant. Despite being limited by the sample size and design, this study contributes new knowledge to an emerging research area and, using the Continuum Model, traces how the dynamics of public sector information are changing. It suggests that the best way for records managers to respond to new media is by focusing on building internal relationships and adopting a big-bucket approach to appraisal. The findings provide an indication on how government agencies are currently performing; positing that more research is needed in how Public Records Offices can best support records managers.</p>

Taming the Wild West: Capturing Public Records Created on Social Media Websites

<p>Social media has become entrenched in public as well as private life. This new media defies recordkeeping conventions, creating a new set of challenges for records managers. This research project aimed to discover what methods government agencies in Australia are using to capture public records created on social media sites. It explored the effect of internal and external factors on social media recordkeeping and used the Records Management Continuum Model to examine the extent to which records are being captured. Using a quantitative design comprising a voluntary online questionnaire targeted at government records managers in Australia, it was found that so far only a minority of agencies are capturing social media records and even less believe that their methods are sustainable or compliant. Despite being limited by the sample size and design, this study contributes new knowledge to an emerging research area and, using the Continuum Model, traces how the dynamics of public sector information are changing. It suggests that the best way for records managers to respond to new media is by focusing on building internal relationships and adopting a big-bucket approach to appraisal. The findings provide an indication on how government agencies are currently performing; positing that more research is needed in how Public Records Offices can best support records managers.</p>