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July 27, 2021

Saint Louis Zoo Receives Award for Excellence in Records Management

The Saint Louis Zoo registrar team recently received the 2021 Program Excellence Award for animal and veterinary records management from the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators (NAGARA).

This recognition acknowledges outstanding, innovative and successful archives and records management programs or initiatives.

NAGARA is the preeminent professional association dedicated to the improvement of federal, state and local government records and information management and the professional development of government records administrators and archivists. The NAGARA Program Excellence Award was established to recognize a collaborative team or program for the development and implementation of a creative product or program that enhances the goals of records management and preservation.

The Saint Louis Zoo Registrar Department, managed by Animal Division Registrar Rae Lynn Haliday, Certified Records Manager, and supported by Assistant Registrar Lily Moore, Certified Records Analyst, provides a comprehensive Records and Information Management program (RIM). The Saint Louis Zoo RIM program manages records of our animals in different formats, retention policies, training and more.

"In many ways, we are the door that allows animals to enter and leave the Zoo collection. Our team has implemented a framework for records management that deploys global best practices that align with industry specific standards. These standards ensure animal information is created, captured, stored and maintained over time to facilitate access to important resources that help us take care of animals in the best way possible," says Haliday.

The Saint Louis Zoo Registrar Department, with its RIM program for Animal and Veterinary records, is a leader in the industry. Additionally, it has helped create professional development programs and standards for the advancement of the zoological profession. Global best practices demonstrated by the Zoo were instrumental in updating and creating new accreditation standards for animal and veterinary records put in place by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2020.

"The national award is an impressive achievement and reflects the Zoo's continued dedication to operational excellence to support animal care while paving the way for new best practices. We are proud to be at the forefront of animal records and information management," says Luis Padilla, DVM, Vice President of Animal Collections.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Saint Louis Zoo 314/781-0900
Billy Brennan, 314/646-4633, Brennan@stlzoo.org
Christy Childs, 314/646-4639, Childs@stlzoo.org
Kirby Ewald, 314/646-4945, Ewald@stlzoo.org