Module 5: Text 2

e-TERM reference*

TPC5

Version no.*

1

Version date*

2001-09-20

Contributor*

Cain, Piers

Author/s*

National Archives of Australia

Title*

Archiving Web Resources: A Policy for Keeping Records of Web-based Activity in the Commonwealth Government (revised January 2001)

Print availability

-

Electronic availability

http://www.naa.gov.au/recordkeeping/
er/web_records/intro.html

Copyright

Copyright rests with the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia

Introduction

It is the stated objective of the governments in most industrialised countries to put in place the infrastructure for their countries to fully participate in the 'knowledge economy'. In this context the implementation of electronic government or 'E-Government' is expected to be crucial. This paper sets out one aspect of the National Archives of Australia's contribution to meeting these broader policy objectives. The policy document for archiving web-based resources sets out the general principles. It is supported by a second document 'Guidelines for Keeping Records of Web-based Activity in the Commonwealth Government' which provides the detail on how to implement the policy. These documents were written specifically for an audience of Australian public sector employees, but many of the points raised are valid in other environments.

This paper is not attributed to a named author, but is a corporate publication of the National Archives of Australia.

Relevance

A useful text for introducing students to the concept of a policy document and its relationship with other instruments.

Concepts*

Accountability
Business risk
Disposal authority
Extranet
Gateway site
Intranet
Knowledge economy
Metadata
Public website
Publication
Records
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
WebsiteRecord

Cases

-

Module no.*

5

Role

-

Contribution to learning objectives*

Preliminary reading

-

Reading help

Discussion

In section 2.2 the policy requires an answer to the question 'is a website, as a whole, a publication or a record?' What criteria could you use to make this decision?

Section 3.4 requires that records of web resources must meet 'accountability requirements, business needs or community expectations'. Suggest examples of these needs. Why might a government web resource raise issues about accountability?

In the box Best Practice 9, agencies are required to determine and document their own definition of 'adequate' web based recordkeeping. How could they do this?

How could the National Archives of Australia monitor whether this policy is effective and is being followed by government departments and agencies?

Assignment*

What are the key elements or features of a good policy document?

In your country, or organisation, what would be the key laws or policy documents to which a policy on web based resources would have to refer?