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Reviews
font and better typesetting; the small margins made it difficult
to read the sentences, particularly given the hardcover. Excluding
this minor discomfort, I would recommend this book to any-
one interested in knowledge sharing, particularly to academics
who would also benefit from the insightful foreword by Melissa
Appleyard.
Hari Bapuji
Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, Canada
E-mail address: bapuji@cc.umanitoba.ca
doi:10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2009.08.003
Managing electronic records, W. Saffady. ARMA International,
Lenexa and Facet Publishing, London (2009). 246 p., Price
£
52.95,
ISBN: 978-1-85604-699-2
This established work is now in its fourth edition. It covers
topics on concepts, storage media, file formats, records inventory,
retention schedules, vital records and managing electronic files and
media. Its intended readership is records managers, IT profession-
als, systems analysts, data centre managers, librarians and others
responsible for electronic records created by computer, audio and
video systems.
With such a broad spectrum of readers and topics, a fine balanc-
ing act has to be maintained between superficiality and profundity
in this practical rather than theoretical approach to the subject.
Inevitably some ‘expert’ readers may be disappointed with the
shallowness of the treatment while ‘novice’ readers may wish for
a lighter introduction. Generally Dr. Saffady manages to navigate
between these extremes, although his decision, from the third edi-
tion, to omit any form of bibliography or source references in favour
of a general guide to where further information can be found may
be regretted by some.
Now to the book’s content. The first chapter summarises the rise
in computer technologies and outlines the issues that have arisen
with the increase in electronic information, these including inad-
equate controls (often already present in the paper environment),
information redundancy and the unstructured nature of electronic
records. The elements of a records programme are summarised and
reference made to ISO/TR 15489-1:2001 (Information and docu-
mentation – Records management – Part 1: General)
Magnetic, optical and solid state media are covered in the second
chapter with helpful diagrams and tables detailing the different
types and storage capacities. Extensive consideration is given to
older and obsolete media; an important matter for those faced with
accessing or managing information held thereon.
Even if a storage media can be accessed, it may prove difficult
to read the information due to the type of file formats used. Saf-
fady provides a useful overview of proprietary and non-proprietary
formats, including coding systems, word processing files, e-mail
messages, spreadsheets, databases and video and audio files.
Fact-finding surveys for identifying and describing records
require careful planning and need management support if they are
to be successful. A survey instrument is outlined based on a check-
list covering such matters as copies and backup practices, file types,
dates covered, growth rate, locations and software and hardware
environments. This is perhaps the weakest part of the book as the
survey activity is not set within a holistic approach to managing
records in an organisation as exemplified by the design and imple-
mentation of a records system outlined in ISO/TR 15489-2:2001
(Information and documentation – Records management – Part 2:
Guidelines)
The principal reason for a records inventory is seen as providing
the means to formulate retention and disposal schedules. Chap-
ter 5 covers the concepts and criteria for retention decisions, and
describes in some detail legally mandated retention periods in the
United States, the legal status and admissibility of digital document
images and electronic signatures as well as E-discovery and the
amended Federal Rules. Readers from other jurisdictions will need
to research the laws and practices in their areas. Retention princi-
ples for e-mail messages are helpfully covered in some depth. The
importances of media stability and of migrating data to new media
where retention periods are long (greater than 5 years) are covered
at the end of the chapter.
Saffady defines vital records as those that contain information
essential to an organisation’s mission. Chapter 6 outlines a vital
records programme of policies and procedures for the their sys-
tematic, comprehensive, and economical control based on a risk
analysis. Compliance auditing is needed to ensure the effectiveness
of the programme.
The final chapter titled ‘Managing Electronic Files and Media’
is somewhat disappointing. While physical media management –
selection, storage copies, required environment and media han-
dling addresses – is covered is some detail, the design and
organisation of electronic file structures (file plans) and associated
retention schedules and their support by commercially available
electronic document and records management systems (EDRMSs)
is given less attention than it deserves. Those interested in com-
mercial systems are directed to the test program operated by the
US Department of Defence under DoD 5015.2-STD.
The book ends with a glossary of terms and acronyms and an
extensive index.
Overall the book is somewhat stronger in its coverage of physi-
cal and technical aspects as compared with the information content
and intellectual organisation of the records themselves. Further-
more the latter aspect is coloured somewhat by the emphasis on
the laws and regulations of the United States. It will be a useful
addition to the library of an aspiring records manager, but not the
first choice for those outside the US.
Bob Wiggins
Cura Consortium, Timbers Broadlands, Burgess Hill,
West Sussex RH15 0BG, UK
E-mail address: Robert
wiggins@o2.co.uk
doi:10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2009.08.002
Theory and Practice of Online Learning, Terry Anderson, Fathi
Elloumi., 2nd revised edition, AU Press (2008). 472 pp., Price:
£
34.15, ISBN: 1897425082
This book has been both commissioned and published by
Athabasca University of Canada which has been described by the
Author as “Canada’s Open University”.
The book is divided into four parts: (1) Role and Function of
Theory in Online Education Development and Delivery; (2) Infras-
tructure and Support for Content Development; (3) Design and
Development of Online Courses; (4) Delivery, Quality Control, and
Student Support.
It consists of a collection of essays written by different writers
and edited by Terry Anderson. The text attempts to conflate the
voices of those who are at the forefront of new developments and
practices in the area of online learning. The release of this book is
timely and welcomed at a time when online learning is playing a
larger role in all levels of education (in as far as becoming more
imbedded in various aspects of the curriculum).