Jesse asks a very provocative question:  "I wonder how much value CA is to most records managers?"



And, to be honest, this is a question many archivists (mostly uncertified archivists) also ask.



Succinctly, my contention is that the designation is valuable because most records managers, whether they acknowledge it or not, are de facto archivists as we are responsible for identifying, preserving, and making records of permanent value accessible to those who need them.



Being designated as a Certified Archivist is evidence that the holder thinks about the future as well as the present and the past as we realize that some records have continuing value even after serving the purpose for which they were created.  If an organization is concerned about its future, it should be concerned about its archives.



Paul R. Scott, CA, CRM
Records Management Officer
Harris County, TX
713 368-0039

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