Records Standardization, Retention Schedule and Weeding Out of Documents: A Proposal for Indian Libraries

Efficient record management practice is an integral part of every organization in performing their day-to-day functions. Though libraries follow best practices in managing user-centric records, it is observed that most of the libraries are not following any standard policy for administrative records retention or their weeding out. The paper argues that record retention policy will help librarians in taking an informed decision concerning the retention period of different type of records. The author opines that records retention schedule is fundamental to efficient records management of any organization. The paper also discusses various government guidelines in managing records and suggests a model record retention policy for libraries.