Overview
Electronic Records Day is an annual observance (usually on October 10) coordinated by the Council of State Archivists (CoSA) through its State Electronic Records Institute (SERI). The day is dedicated to raising awareness among government agencies, archival professionals, and the general public about the importance of managing, preserving, and providing access to digital records.
Why Electronic Records Day Matters
Digital Records Are Vulnerable
Digital files can degrade, become unreadable, or be lost without active management.Long-Term Access Is Not Automatic
Storage media (like hard drives or tapes) have limited lifespans and need regular maintenance or migration.Authenticity & Trust
Electronic records require special security and preservation practices to ensure they remain genuine, unaltered, and trustworthy.Public Right & Historical Value
Well-managed e-records support transparency, research, and historical memory - they help safeguard government accountability and cultural heritage.Partnership Across Stakeholders
Electronic Records Day brings together archivists, records managers, IT leaders, policymakers, and the public to foster conversations and actions around digital preservation.
Contact & Share Back
Questions, feedback, or ideas? Email CoSA at info@statearchivists.org
How to Participate
Here are some ways organizations and individuals can observe Electronic Records Day:
Share on social media: Use the hashtag #ERecsDay to raise visibility.
Write a blog post or newsletter feature about digital preservation, e-records management, or risk mitigation.
Host a workshop or presentation on e-records risks, digital preservation best practices, or the digital lifecycle.
Engage in dialogue with other local agencies, records managers, or archivists about their e-records challenges.
Provide training or resources for staff on managing born-digital records.
After the day, CoSA encourages participants to share what they did - including successes, challenges, or lessons learned.
Events & Resources
2025 ELECTRONIC RECORDS DAY WEBINAR
Friday, October 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET, SERI presented its annual electronic records day webinar. During the 1 hour 30 minute webinar, the Electronic Records Day poster was shared, followed by presentations that highlighted the innovative work in digital exhibits at state and territorial archives, capped off with time at the end for question and answer.
The Kentucky First Ladies in Miniature: Utilizing Digital Archives to Ensure Public Access
Elaine Gollihue
Electronic Records Archivist
Kentucky Dept. for Libraries and Archives
From “Old School” to New Tools: Digital Exhibits at the Delaware Public Archives
Maegan Peterman
Acting Director and State Archivist
Delaware Public Archives
Experiments in Digital Storytelling, Public Engagement in a Post-Pandemic World
Brett Fuller; they/them
Public Affairs Specialist
Archives Division, Oregon Secretary of State
The Quirks of Quartex: Building Digital Exhibits at the State Archives of North Carolina
Anna Peitzman
Digital Access Branch Head
State Archives of North Carolina
- 2025 Electronic Records Day Poster - Mediums & Methods of Digital Storytelling
- 2024 Electronic Records Day Poster - Thinking About Digital Accessibility
- Thinking about Digital Accessibility - Resources (2024)
Visit CoSA's YouTube channel for the full Electronic Records Day playlist.