Heritage Administration And Records Management Skills Training

Objectives:
• Define key concepts in heritage administration and records management.
• Understand the legislative framework governing heritage and records in South Africa.
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of heritage administrators.
• Recognize the value of heritage records for cultural and historical preservation.

Topics:
• Overview of heritage administration and records management.
• Key terminology: heritage, records, archives, museum collections.
• South African legislative framework: National Heritage Resources Act, National Archives and Records Service Act.
• Ethical principles in heritage administration.
• Role of heritage institutions: museums, archives, libraries.
• Introduction to records lifecycle and continuum models.

Objectives:
• Understand the records creation process and its importance.
• Apply classification schemes for heritage records.
• Conduct appraisal to determine records retention value.
• Implement disposal procedures in compliance with legislation.

Topics:
• Records creation standards and metadata capture.
• Classification systems: functional, subject-based, and numeric.
• Appraisal criteria: administrative, legal, fiscal, historical value.
• Retention schedules and disposal authorities.
• Practical exercise: appraising sample heritage records.
• Documentation of appraisal decisions.

Objectives:
• Describe appropriate storage conditions for different record formats.
• Identify preservation techniques for paper, digital, and audiovisual records.
• Apply basic conservation measures to extend record life.
• Develop a preservation plan for a heritage collection.

Topics:
• Environmental controls: temperature, humidity, light.
• Storage materials and housing: acid-free boxes, folders, sleeves.
• Preservation techniques: digitization, encapsulation, lamination.
• Conservation treatments: cleaning, mending, deacidification.
• Disaster preparedness and response for heritage records.
• Case study: preservation challenges in South African heritage institutions.

Objectives:
• Apply cataloguing standards to heritage records.
• Create descriptive metadata using Dublin Core and ISAD(G).
• Develop finding aids for user access.
• Understand the role of authority records and controlled vocabularies.

Topics:
• Cataloguing principles: description, access points, authority control.
• Metadata standards: Dublin Core, ISAD(G), EAD.
• Creating descriptive records: title, creator, date, scope.
• Authority files for names and subjects.
• Finding aids: inventories, guides, indexes.
• Practical exercise: cataloguing a heritage object or record.

Objectives:
• Understand digital records management principles.
• Plan and implement digitization projects for heritage materials.
• Manage born-digital records and digital preservation.
• Apply metadata for digital objects.

Topics:
• Digital records lifecycle: creation, capture, storage, access.
• Digitization standards: resolution, file formats, colour management.
• Project planning: selection, prioritisation, workflow.
• Digital preservation strategies: migration, emulation, refreshing.
• Metadata for digital objects: technical, preservation, structural.
• Legal issues: copyright, intellectual property, data protection.

Objectives:
• Develop policies for access to heritage records.
• Provide reference services to researchers and the public.
• Design outreach and educational programmes.
• Evaluate user needs and satisfaction.

Topics:
• Access policies: open vs. restricted records.
• Reference interview techniques and search strategies.
• Reading room procedures and user registration.
• Outreach: exhibitions, talks, social media.
• Educational programmes for schools and communities.
• User feedback and service improvement.

Objectives:
• Understand governance structures in heritage institutions.
• Develop policies for records management and heritage administration.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws and standards.
• Manage risk and audit trails.

Topics:
• Governance frameworks: boards, committees, accountability.
• Policy development: records management policy, heritage policy.
• Compliance: PAIA, POPIA, National Archives Act.
• Auditing records management practices.
• Risk management for heritage collections.
• Case study: policy implementation in a South African heritage institution.

Objectives:
• Apply project management principles to heritage initiatives.
• Plan and execute a heritage records project.
• Manage change in heritage institutions.
• Evaluate project outcomes and lessons learned.

Topics:
• Project management lifecycle: initiation, planning, execution, closure.
• Tools: Gantt charts, risk registers, stakeholder analysis.
• Change management models: Kotter, ADKAR.
• Communication strategies for change.
• Case study: implementing a new records management system.
• Practical exercise: developing a project plan for a digitization project.

Objectives:
• Integrate knowledge from all days into a comprehensive heritage administration plan.
• Apply professional ethics in real-world scenarios.
• Identify career pathways and professional development opportunities.
• Present a capstone project demonstrating competence.

Topics:
• Integration: linking records management, preservation, access, and governance.
• Ethical dilemmas and decision-making.
• Professional bodies: SAQA, SASA, ICOM-SA.
• Continuing education: conferences, workshops, certifications.
• Capstone project presentations.
• Course review and assessment.