Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Rand Water was one of the earliest institutions to introduce electronic records management in 1991. Over the period of three decades, there have been numerous changes at the institution, and within the South African legal framework, there is a need to transfer the digital records into archival custody. However, there is no infrastructure to ingest digital records into archival custody. This poses challenges to institutions such as Rand Water as they are forced to create an interim solution for electronic records preservation. The challenge is compounded by the fact that since implementing electronic systems, Rand Water has migrated to several products. There is a danger that some records might have been lost during migration. This chapter narrates on the electronic record-keeping within Rand Water from yesteryear to today in order to map the way for the future. It has established that Rand Water has implemented several ECMs and migrated to different products over the years. A further study on data loss and recoverability during migration to the different ECMs is recommended.

Use and Management of Email as Records in African Universities

The chapter examined the management of email as records in African universities from the perspective of selected librarians. Data was gathered from interviews conducted for the librarians and their deputies along with analysis of related documents. Findings revealed that email is a record and therefore should be managed the same way other documents recognized as records in the universities are managed. The methods African universities are adopting in the management of email as records include capturing in an electronic document records management systems otherwise known as (EDRMS), print and file as attachments, headers details, and other appropriate metadata to the paper based on recordkeeping system, unaltered, classified, accessible, and readable for longer period.

Transcending Theories of Preservation in Library and Archives

The discourse of understanding how things work, why they work the way they are, and what has to be done in order to improve how things are is centered on theories. Theories are a set of propositions that specify reasonable relationships between characteristics of a phenomenon that can be measured and defined. Theories are crucial in development of cultural heritage and its allied functions such as preservation. Despite a significant improvement in execution of preservation functions, the more incumbent challenge observed in literature is the lack of understanding of the meaning, principles, and application of theories in preservation in the ESARBICA. This chapter unpacks the theories of preservation through establishing the definitions of preservation, determining principles and uncertainties experienced, and identifying interrelated concepts of relationships and disciplines that contribute to preservation. The chapter concludes by offering a perspective for redefining a framework for preservation in libraries and archives in ESARBICA.

E-Records Readiness of Eswatini for Strategic Governance

This chapter is based on a study whose aim was to assess e-records readiness in Eswatini government ministries. The study seeks to answer three basic questions: How are e-records currently managed within government ministries of Eswatini? Is there a legal and policy framework for managing e- records in an e-government environment? Do the existing practices for managing e-records adequately support e-government services? The study used the interpretive research paradigm and adopted qualitative approach using phenomenological design. Maximum variation sampling was used to identify the research sample. Findings revealed that although there is evidence of availability and use of e-records in government ministries, the e-records readiness and efficiency levels in support of e-government were low; the management of e-records is not yet streamlined to the majority registries; and e-Government implementation maturity level is low. The study recommends improvement of legislative and policy framework.

Archival Education and Training Opportunities in Malawi

This chapter provides an overview of archival education and training opportunities in Malawi. In the chapter, the author also presents a historical background to the development of archival education and training in the ESARBICA region, and how training opportunities for archivists and records managers evolved with support from ICA and UNESCO. It is also indicated in this chapter that when funding from ICA and UNESCO severed, individual countries established their own training institutions, but not all ESARBICA member states have done well. In view of the foregoing, the researcher conducted a study to establish why Malawi had not done well as compared to other member states in the region. The findings of the study revealed a number of challenges as highlighted in this chapter. The author also provides some propositions on how the situation could be addressed in Malawi and other ESARBICA member states.

Perceptions of Medical and Nursing Staff Towards Electronic Records at Selected Private Health Institutions in Zimbabwe

The study sought to find the types of electronic records that are used at selected private health institutions in Zimbabwe and establish the perceptions of medical and nursing staff towards the electronic records. The study also examined the challenges that are faced by private health institutions' medical and nursing staff when using electronic records, and some solutions to these challenges were proffered. Purposive sampling was used to select institutions that participated in the study. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from medical and nursing staff from the selected institutions. The study confirms that medical and nursing staffs' perceptions towards electronic records are positive, but knowledge about and usage of electronic records are relatively in their infancy at the private health institutions studied. However, uptake of electronic records is significantly going up as the institutions grapple to match global standards.

Journey to EDRMS Solution in Zimbabwe Public Sector

E-government initiatives by the government of Zimbabwe and the increased use of computer-based systems by the public sector have seen an increased generation of digital records in the day-to-day conduct of business. The National Archives of Zimbabwe is taking some measures to manage these proliferating digital records in a manner that guarantees their authenticity and continued availability. This chapter explores the journey to digital records management in the Zimbabwe public sector, with specific focus on steps followed to develop the Public Sector Digital Records Management Framework (PSDRMF), Statement of User Requirements (SOURS), and efforts to acquire an EDRMS solution. The chapter provides highlights on some achievements, experiences, and lessons learnt in the process.

Cloud Computing as a Strategy for Preservation of Digital Resources in Academic Libraries in South Africa

Academic libraries around the world have been struggling with how to preserve their intellectual output. Of all the preservation challenges facing academic libraries, none is more pressing than developing strategies for digital preservation. The chapter thus aimed at investigating the adoption of cloud computing as a strategy to preserve digital resources in academic libraries. Data collection was largely based on a critical review of literature relating to the adoption of cloud computing in academic libraries. The findings revealed that although cloud computing has been seen as one of suitable preservation strategies by many institutions, the level of its adoption is low in academic libraries in South Africa, especially in the area of preservation of digital resources. Several recommendations were also made, and among others were the enactment of preservation policies and improving technology infrastructure. The study further proposed a roadmap that will serve as a guide in the adoption of cloud computing in academic libraries.

Impact of ICTs in the Practice of Records Management in Ministry of Health, Nigeria

The purpose of this chapter is to investigate the impact of information and communication technologies in the practice of records management in Ministry of Health, Nigeria. A diverse set of ICT tools of computer, CD-ROM, multi-media, scanner, internet, software applications (CDS/ISIS), among others are currently used in the practices of records management. The rationale that spurs the use of ICTs for record management is due to the ever-changing nature of operations that required capturing, processing, storing, and dissemination of records and other evolving phenomenon from traditional to virtual/technological platform. The qualitative research approach grounded on documents/textual content analysis of literature was employed in this study. Findings revealed that ICTs are used for different purposes in records management operations in the Ministry of Health in Nigeria. The evolving nature of transformation is that organisations no longer use old technologies of microfilm/fiches, floppy disc, papyrus, tape recorders, and typewriters. Strategies of security, different devices, and policy are significant.

Management of Electronic Records for Service Delivery at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Healthcare providers have, over the years, struggled with the management of patient records. The struggle became exaggerated as information became increasingly large and convoluted. The contemporary healthcare environment is characterised by information overload; without the proper organisation of information resources, access to valuation resources can become an albatross, if not properly managed. Health information is the data associated with the medical ailment of a patient's history, containing symptoms, diagnoses, procedures, and results. Quick access to this vital information may be a life-and-death decision that must not be taken for granted. This chapter aims to investigate how electronic records are managed in a contemporary method as adopted by the University College Hospital (UCH).