Training and Resources - suggested minimum standard training materials; basic records information; online resources; inventory and schedule information; Records Management laws/rules
NEW (August 2023) - MSA Social Media Retention Guidance and Best Practices for State Agencies (pdf)
NEW (May 2023) - MSA Requirements for Digital/Electronic Recordkeeping (pdf)
Schedules - retention guides that tell you how long to keep records
- State General Schedules - for those records common to most state agencies - REVISED March 2022
- Agency Schedules - for those records unique to the agency
Agency Records Officers - a listing of agency records officers, additional RO information
Forms - all Records Management forms
Policy on Preservation of State Government Records - every state employee's annual acknowledgement
You have questions?
Remember email is a format. Retention is based on the content of the email. For retention guidance, see State General Schedule 5 (PDF).
- How do I know what to do with all this paper in my office?
Check with your Agency Records Officer, the State General Schedules or your Agency Schedules to determine if documents are records requiring retention.
- Do I really need to keep this document?
Remember that all records start out as documents but not all documents become records. Evaluate the document for any administrative, legal or fiscal value. Consult with your Records Officer and review your schedules.
- Who’s my Records Officer?
Per statute, every agency is required to appoint a Records Officer. The current list can be found on our Records Officer page.
- What are schedules?
A records schedule provides mandatory instructions on how long to retain records and whether those records will be destroyed or kept in the Archives. There are two types of schedules: the State General Schedules and Agency Schedules.
- How do I transfer records?
Records may be transferred to the State Records Center or Maine State Archives according to approved retention schedules. See our Transferring Records page for complete information.
We have answers!!
Contact Records Management