Records Center and Archives

Who can use the Records Center (Records Management Services)?
Maine State Agencies and the Legislature — The State Records Center (RC) stores records for Maine State agencies once they have met their in-agency retention. The records must be listed on an approved records retention schedule.

What is the difference between the State Records Center and the State Archives? 
They are at separate locations and have separate purposes.

Training

Minimum Standards Training

• Records Management Basic Principles for State Employees (PDF) — Updated 2022, this version is a PowerPoint show. It is recommended that every State employee take this training as part of minimum standard training for Records Management (ROs and Assistants take training below).

Training and Resources - suggested minimum standard training materials; basic records information; online resources; inventory and schedule information; Records Management laws/rules

Essential Records (from COSA webinars/handouts)

• Overview of Essential Records (PDF, 177 kb)
• Risk Assessment (PDF, 82 kb)
• Protection Strategies (PDF, 78 kb)
• Access Priorities (PDF, 147 kb)

Disaster Preparedness (from COSA webinars/ha

Future historians, as well as thefuture staff of your agency, will benefit from COVID-19 records being evaluated, managed, and retained. These records may reveal how your agency communicated with the public and how staff was directed to continue daily services to the citizens of Maine while remaining safe and healthy. The lessons learned along the way may also assist agencies in planning for, or responding to, a future crisis.  

Consultants Serving Maine Historical Records Repositories

This list is provided for your convenience and is not an endorsement of those listed. No guarantee of work quality is made or implied. Make arrangements directly with the consultant. You may wish to have a written agreement to avoid misunderstandings.

These consultants have differing backgrounds and experience and provide services for variable fees. Travel costs would typically be an additional expense.

Grant Information

Grants are occasionally available for archival material held in Maine municipalities and collecting institutions. Details of the grant programs are subject to change, check for updates before applying. Questions? Call 207-287-5790 or email to Christian Cotz, Interim State Archivist at Christian.cotz@maine.gov.