Records & Archives Department Receives Award

Coordinator Katy Klettlinger and the staff of the Licking County Records & Archives Department have received the 2011 Achievement Award from the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB). According to the OHRAB Awards Committee, this award “recognizes significant accomplishments in preserving and improving access to historical records in any format by an Ohio archival institution. The Licking County Records and Archives Department was recognized for rescuing and making available public county records not seen for more than a century and effective management of contemporary records via its Records Keepers’ Roundtable.” At the December 20, 2011 Licking County Commissioners’ meeting, Stark County Records Manager John Runion and Ohio Attorney General Records Manager Pari Swift presented the award to Ms. Klettlinger.

The Records & Archives Department was created by the Board of County Commissioners in 2007 to salvage and organize endangered county records, and to create a records management program for current county agencies.

Since early 2008, approximately 3000 cubic feet of records have been transferred from the Courthouse Attic and the Historic Licking County Jail to the current Records & Archives facility, where they are stored in a controlled climate. Many of these records have been thoroughly cleaned, organized and catalogued. Volunteers and an intern have assisted staff with the salvage, cleaning and organization.

Soon after the salvaging program began, Katy Klettlinger interviewed the record keepers of county agencies to determine their needs. In 2010, the Records Keepers’ Roundtable was created as a vehicle for training and the sharing of information. Since its formation, records retention submissions have increased by 416%, and twelve offices have implemented records management practices.

The Records & Archives Department began a digital imaging program in 2010. Since then, over 208,000 scanned images have been created. Staff have also begun book scanning and microfilm conversion.

Left to Right: Back Row: Doug Smith, Licking County Commissioner; John Runion, Stark County Records Manager; Pari Swift, Ohio Attorney General Records Manager; Katy Klettlinger, Licking County Records Coordinator; Tim Bubb and Brad Feightner, Licking County Commissioners; Neil Phelps, Volunteer. Front Row: Angie Spray, Bill Markley and Allison Brewer, Licking County Records Staff.

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