International Council of Archives

Greetings from Brisbane via Canberra. My name is Lauren Banks and I work at the National Archives of Australia. Based in the National Office in Canberra, I have worked there for more than three years. 

Lauren Banks

I came to the National Archives from the Australian Parliamentary Library where I worked in information access. Before that I held positions in both information services and library administration at a public library in regional New South Wales. I have a Masters degree in Library and Information Management and a Bachelor of Business, and have recently started studying for a Graduate Diploma in Information Services, focusing specifically on digital recordkeeping and information security.

I work as a Project Officer in the Government Information Management Branch. My team is responsible for working on strategic initiatives, monitoring current and future issues and trends in records and information management, and developing policy and advice to support this.
I have been involved in a range of projects including the Records Management Practices and Arrangement in Australian Government Agencies 2010 Survey, and conducting research and developing advice for Australia government agencies on current issues like social media and cloud computing.

For the first phase of the Digital Transition project I worked as part of the National Archives project team alongside staff of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to research and formulate the requirements and specific details of what became the Digital Transition Policy – announced by the Australian Government in July 2011.
Being a member of this project team was a great experience in development of government policy. It is also very exciting that I have been involved with a new policy that has the potential to make a difference to records management practices in government agencies.
My recent work includes the next phase of that policy through updating and developing advice for government agencies to support their transition to digital records management.

The National Archives of Australia Office in Canberra

 In 2011 I presented papers at two conferences – the Institute for Information Management (IIM) Conference in Canberra and the Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia (RIMPA) In forum Convention in Darwin. Initially these presentations seemed daunting as I had not presented in a professional capacity before. However, both experiences were very rewarding and I am grateful to have such an opportunity.

I hope to see you at the ICA Congress in August.

Lauren Banks.