Larry --

Having gone through the process of starting a RM program from scratch (though in a larger local government), I think the benefits for proceeding without a grant far more than offset grant overhead costs and delays from seeking, applying and waiting for grant approval. NHPRC funds are scarcer than ever and starting local government RM programs rank low to nil in priority. At one time NEH had a grant program that would fund shelving and materials to preserve local records with archival value, but not for basic RM. Grants typically want local match -- often cash match, not in-kind. Granting agencies -- whether public or private -- want applications supported by professional expertise (which costs), not just the local government saying what it needs and how much. In short, grants seldom are free money -- they come with real overhead  costs and strings. You can end up doing more what the granting agency wants you to do, rather than what you need to do for your local government.

The best help I got when starting the program here back in 1995-1996 was from colleagues running two other Kansas programs, Johnson County and City of Lenexa. State Archives helped, including with a NHPRC pass through microfilm preservation grant (that's how I know about the overhead).

NAGARA (National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators) is just completing a major update and expansion of its guide publications for local government programs in cooperation with IIMC (international Institute of Municipal Clerks). These publications should replace the existing, older publications now available at www.nagara.org when the new website rolls out in November/December.

Feel free to refer your small incorporated city to me -- I would be glad to chat or exchange some emails.

Douglas King | Records Manager & Freedom of Information Officer | Sedgwick County Division of Information and Operations 
p: (316) 660-9846 | f: (316) 660-3274 | [log in to unmask] 
525 N. Main, Records Center | Wichita, KS 67203 | www.sedgwickcounty.org

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