Services to State and Local Governments

A primary function of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History is to work in partnership with state agency and local government officials in the proper management of their records, and to identify and preserve for public access those of historical/archival value. The statutory basis for the Archives’ records management program is contained in the Public Records Act (Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976, as amended, Sections 30-1-10 through 30-1-170).

In carrying out this function, the Archives’ staff provides advisory services on all major aspects of records management, including microfilm and digital and computer media as well as traditional paper filing systems and records. The Archives also:

• provides records management training; 
• develops and issues records retention schedules to authorize the legal disposition of public records;
• conducts a full range of microfilming services;
• develops standards and regulations, and technical publications;
• provides for temporary storage for inactive state agency records;
• operates a conservation lab for the care of the Archives' holdings and provides advice on the care of documents to individuals and institutions.

For more information about the records management program of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, contact Richard Harris, (803) 896-6123.