What are SARNS

SARNS, or State Agency Records Naming Systems, is a system used by state and local government agencies across the United States to standardize the naming and filing of government records in order to ensure more efficient organization and retrieval. SARNS was developed by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and is now adopted by agencies in every state. In essence, it is a way for public agencies to ensure that their records are kept safe and organized for future access and use.

What the SARNS System Does

The SARNS system is based on the Federal Agency Records Naming System (FARS), which was first introduced in the 1950s to ensure more consistent filing among federal agencies. Essentially, SARNS establishes a uniform structure of record names, making it easier to locate specific documents and files. It relies on a hierarchical structure and allows agencies to break down documents into a logically organized and retrievable structure.

The Benefits of Using SARNS

There are numerous benefits to using the SARNS system, both for government agencies and researchers. SARNS makes documents easier to file and manage, allowing documents to be more easily located and retrieved. It also ensures that documents stored in different locations can still be accessed by researchers. For the public, it provides a transparent way to locate and review documents related to a specific agency. Finally, SARNS also allows for agencies to easily expand the scope and content of archived documents.

Conclusion

SARNS provides a uniform structure for agencies to store and retrieve records. It makes documents more organized and manageable, and allows for more efficient access and use. In short, it is an invaluable tool for both state and local government agencies and those seeking to access government records.