In this era where records often exist exclusively in digital format, records managers and archivists must increasingly ensure they have the right software to handle metadata management, cybersecurity, digital storage costs, and more. The digital age demands that archivists and records managers rely more on their IT colleagues, often relinquishing decision-making power in the process.
However, this loss of full control over records-related decisions often leads to software choices driven by broader institutional strategies. Failing to consider the technological requirements of archival and records management leaves professionals without the proper tools to do their work, forcing them to rely on a patchwork of applications to function effectively.
Finding allies with shared concerns is key to keeping archivists and records managers at the center of records-related decisions. Invoking legal risk in digital collections offers a unique opportunity to build these alliances. Archivists, records managers, and legal professionals share specialized understanding of transparency, privacy, data protection, intellectual property, and retention laws. This shared knowledge enables effective collaboration in advocating for archival needs in software and governance decisions.
By centering legal risk and regulatory non-compliance, archivists and records managers are empowered—alongside legal advisors—to better advocate for archival needs. Gaining allies who understand the broader scope of their work—beyond cultural heritage and institutional memory—helps ensure continued participation in digital and technological decision-making.