This book describes and discusses the principles of records management and its practical implementation in contemporary organizations. It provides more extensive coverage than most other recent publications on records management. The book does not assume that readers will have any prior knowledge of the subject, but is intended to be of value to experienced practitioners as well as newcomers to the field.

The discipline of records management has grown so much in the last ten or twenty years that it now seems scarcely possible for a single book to cover the whole range of relevant issues. Although space has not permitted full discussion of every topic, we have nevertheless tried to make this book as comprehensive as possible. While addressing a largely English-speaking readership we have sought to maintain an international perspective. As a result, we have given relatively little emphasis to legal or other topics that are specific to a single country, and have concentrated on areas of professional principles and practice that are applicable worldwide.

We are indebted to numerous individuals who have contributed directly or indirectly to the genesis of this book: records management students from many countries across the world who have shared their experiences with us; archivists and records managers with whom we have worked in the UK, continental Europe and Africa; and many others, particularly in North America and Australasia, whose writings have informed our understanding of the subject. We are also grateful to our present and former colleagues at University College London, especially Anne Thurston, Clare Rider, Vanda Broughton, Chris Turner and Anna Sexton.