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Introduction
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Module
5:
Course
Summary
Introduction to National Archives and Records Administration Module 5
 
Page 2
 
Course Summary
Congratulations! You have completed the Introduction to NARA course. It's time to review some key points from this
course.
Module One-- History of NARA covered the following key points:
• NARA was formed because records were widely dispersed and in jeopardy, and various organizations requested a
single agency be charged with maintaining the Government's historical records.
• NARA is an independent agency of the executive branch of the federal government. In our facilities around the
country, customers are able to discover, use, and learn from this history.
• NARA is an important part of the Federal Government and continues to grow and embrace its mission of
safeguarding and preserving the records of our Government.
• We wicontinue ll to ensure that American citizens have access to records that document the actions of their
Government and promote the historical understanding of our national experience.
• The mission of NARA is rooted in various laws that provide NARA with its authority.
Module Two-- Facilities and Organization covered the following key points:
• All employees and program offices throughout the country are connected and are vital parts of NARA.
• NARA has eight staff offices and six program offices. Each of these offices has specific functions.
Module Three--Managing our Government's Information, covered the following key points:
• The records life cycle includes the following steps: Records Creation, Records Maintenance, Records Disposition,
Archival Preservation, and Access.
• At NARA, our work touches all stages of the records life cycle. The Federal Register, Information Security
Oversight Office, Presidential Libraries, Office of Records Services, Washington, DC, and Office of Regional
Records Services all play a key role.
• The offices of Records Services, Washington, DC, and Regional Records Services collaborate in implementing a
National Records Management Program intended to assist agencies.
• An important outcome of successful Federal records management is the identification of records appropriate for
transfer to the custody of the Archivist for long term preservation and access.
• NARA's holdings provide information about people, places, and events.