For the Record’s “Meet the Staff” feature is an opportunity for our staff to connect directly with the community which we serve.

Name:  Felisha Anderson

Title:  Director of Archives and History/Historic Projects Coordinator

Specialties:  Local Government Records Management and training

How did you end up working at the Baldwin County Department of Archives and History?

Received an undergraduate degree in Organizational Management and Leadership, with a concentration in Business, from the University of Mobile. Despite my degree being in Business, most of my work experience is with records, both academic and public. Many of the skills were developed in past academic positions, specifically, organizational skills and the ability to walk patrons through obscure or complicated processes they don’t have to deal with every day, have been a great benefit in my current work at the BCDAH. The BCDAH was already on my radar as a great historical resource in the county, and this job proved to be a great opportunity to combine my interests and experience to help create and preserve what will become the historical record, while putting to use the organized mindset I’ve fostered in the academic world.

What is your role?

Organize, plan and coordinate the creation, maintenance, storage, preservation, and disposition of activities of a wide variety of county records that ensure compliance with professional and legal standards.  Work functions also includes determining proper practice and procedures for the collections, classification, care, preservation, and disposition of materials from county departments, boards, and other governmental agencies which have documents of significant value.  I serve as a liaison to the Baldwin County Historic Development Commission and as a historical consultant for the Baldwin County Bicentennial Park with the goal of advising that the park demonstrate the significance of Baldwin County’s unique heritage. We are training center. We offer training to public officials, especially local agencies, on managing their records – how to organize, store, and permanently preserve permanent records or eventually dispose of temporary records in accordance with the Records Disposition Authority (RDA) and with destruction notices.  Though there are only fifteen local RDA’s, they are organized by type so that each one covers a multitude of individual agencies. 

What is something people don’t know about the Records Management Section?

Just how much we deal with in this profession! Many people don’t think about how many records government agencies produce each year. We’re here to help them wade through all of it, armed with an RDA. As support staff for the Baldwin County Commission, we are responsible for ensuring county departments adhere to these RDAs in cooperation with county department staffs, ultimately outlining what records need to be kept and for how long. Right now, our section works with twenty-two county departments, all while keeping in the back of our minds the myriad of historical and civic responsibilities. There’s something new every day, and I love the variety.

For people who don’t think about their records every day, why is records management important?

Many employees – and especially county employees – produce and accumulate an enormous amount of records. These might range from historically significant documents, such as meeting minutes, to less important records, like potluck fliers and the internet printouts shoved in a drawer. Some records need to be kept permanently to show the work departments do, but most records can be disposed of in a short period of time. Many records don’t need to be kept longer than a day, like the ubiquitous “donuts in the break room” email. Implementing a records management system and a plan to dispose of what you don’t need cuts down on the records clutter – both paper and electronic – so that day-to-day operations can run more smoothly. We are here to help!

What is something you enjoy about working in records management?

The Archives Department engages in many different types of activities; we have the public visiting the Archives regularly, and we likewise have a reference room where members of the public can conduct research.  Records management is more “under the radar” than the work of either of those sections, but the work lays the foundation for records stewardship throughout the state and local government, which ensures that the Department’s efforts to provide access to Baldwin County history can continue.  The work is purposeful, both immediately and for the benefit of future Baldwin Countians as well.

What is your superpower?

Organization is my forte. 

What are your hobbies when you are not at work?

Coloring - Coloring can relax the fear center of your brain. I use coloring as a form of meditation by reducing the thoughts of a restless mind.  Coloring generates mindfulness and quietness, which allows your mind to get some rest after a long day at work. There are coloring books for adults. Another hobby of mine is cooking meals for my family letting my daughter chip in and the whole family enjoys cooking together.  Cooking together is a fabulous way to bond, and my daughter will treasure these memories long into the future!