Electronic Records in the Manuscript Repository defines the problems related to electronic records and digital documents, describes the steps the curator should take to manage those electronic records and digital documents, and suggests ways to learn the specific skills and perspectives needed to do the job well. It provides an introduction to vocabulary, basic concepts, and best practices to date by collecting and contextualizing data from several real-world projects, and it contains almost 30 pages of references to resources that the curator can consult for information on specific topics. Dow starts with a review of archival concepts, including a look at archival practices, and then discusses the problems created by electronic materials in that context, as well as the research in progress to tackle these problems.

"I found the tone of this book refreshing—it was informal and sometimes even colloquial . . . Likewise, Dow not only deals with the book's subjects with candor, she is also candid with the reader about what her book is—and is not." - Provenance: Journal of the Society of Georgia Archivists

"Highly recommended for those who want an extremely accessible introduction to managing and preserving digital materials and would serve as a great reference to the topic." - Technical Services Quarterly

"This book is a great introduction to the various models of electronic preservation for all information managers....The management of electronic records is described in a well-reasoned fashion, current methods are illustrated, and ways to update the described practices are included. Reasons for accepting and rejecting electronic information in archives, the handling of that information in various ways, and the techniques of decision making are clearly explained. Each chapter is very well documented with bibliographic notes. Essential reading for all archivists, records managers, and librarians faced with the ever-changing world of electronic information management." - Library Journal, Starred Review