Hello all and happy Friday!
I have a question that's just popped into my head after being asked to take over one other job detail.  I'm looking for opinions...thanks to anyone in advance for your input.

Background:  If some of you remember me (I've posted before), I am the records manager for a mid-size law firm.  I've been in records management since 1972 and have worked specifically in law for the past 23 years.  My department totals 4 full-time personnel and we serve a firm with multiple locations and approximately 60 personnel total.  The firm hires an outside IT firm (we have no inhouse IT people), so consequently, the users do not have instantaneous support for their computer needs.  Some years ago at another law firm, I was "promoted" to network administrator (while still maintaining the records department on my own), given formal training, and assigned the responsibility of not only monitoring the firm's network, but also serving as a help desk for the users.  Anything that came up during this time that I couldn't handle was referred to an outside IT firm that served as my support.

Anyway, given my background, I find that in my present situation I am often asked to help (or spearhead) new software/hardware acquisitions, develop policies regarding electronic document handling and storage and sometimes I find myself being pushed to serve (again) in a help desk capacity.  As part of my records duties, I and my staff are also responsible for importing documents (electronic and paper) to the DMS and exporting DMS documents to other media.  The firm has decided that my workstation will now be equipped with an all-in-one multi-card reader (in addition to the CD/DVD-RW unit and a stand-alone CD/DVD duplicator).  Beginning in the near future, all firm personnel will forward their digital camera, camcorder and mp3 cards to me for processing.

My staff and I like the diversity these projects give us from our daily routine of managing records, and appreciate the fact that by completing these additional duties, we truly have become a valued part of the firm for which many others rely on us for critical tasks.  I guess I should also mention that my department also acts as an office services group (copy jobs, scanning, bates-stamping, mass mailings, etc.).

What does anyone else think of a records department taking over these functions that might ordinarily be assigned to an IT group?  Am I helping myself and my staff by training and keeping them in touch with the latest technology, or am I hurting us by not concentrating simply on traditional (what is that, exactly) RIM assignments?  Does anyone else find themselves in my position?

Laura A. Steinberg
Epsten Grinnell & Howell APC
9980 Carroll Canyon Rd, 2nd Floor
San Diego, CA 92131
858.527.0111
www.epsten.com<http://www.epsten.com>
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