Saint Louis Zoo: Records Management Innovations

Questions and Answers

What was a significant outcome of the pandemic for the Saint Louis Zoo's operations?

Increased physical attendance of visitors

Focus on outdoor animal exhibits

Reduced number of employees

Transition to home operating procedures (correct)

What organization accredits the Saint Louis Zoo?

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (correct)

National Park Service

American Animal Association

World Wildlife Federation

What role did Rae Lynn Haliday fulfill at the Saint Louis Zoo beginning in 1991?

Registrar (correct)

Chief Financial Officer

Director of Marketing

Volunteer Coordinator

What primary mission does the Saint Louis Zoo Association support?

To conserve animals and habitats Signup and view all the answers

Prior to 2020, what was the focus of the Saint Louis Zoo regarding information management?

Operational excellence in information creation Signup and view all the answers

How many volunteers does the Saint Louis Zoo currently have?

1577 Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the changes during the pandemic have on employee working conditions at the Zoo?

They resulted in more efficient and satisfying working conditions Signup and view all the answers

What did the Saint Louis Zoo prioritize following the global pandemic?

Innovative technology uses Signup and view all the answers

What recognition did the Saint Louis Zoo's registrar team receive in 2021?

NAGARA Award for Program Excellence in Records Management Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred in the Registrar department in November 2023?

Renaming to Animal Management Services Signup and view all the answers

Which platform was primarily used for virtual meetings during the pandemic at the Saint Louis Zoo?

Zoom Signup and view all the answers

Prior to the pandemic, what method was primarily used for animal and veterinary records training?

In-person ‘death by PowerPoint’ sessions Signup and view all the answers

How did the Saint Louis Zoo's Animal Management Services department initially automate workflows for animal transactions?

By implementing a document management system Signup and view all the answers

What new policy regarding work schedules was adopted during the pandemic at the Saint Louis Zoo?

Hybrid work schedules wherever feasible Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant factor that enabled animal keepers to work remotely during the pandemic?

Existing web-based animal record keeping systems Signup and view all the answers

What change occurred to the concept of e-signatures during the pandemic at the zoo?

Quick acceptance and implementation occurred Signup and view all the answers

After the transition to virtual training, what format are leadership meetings currently held in?

Hybrid format Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary record keeping system used for animal records at the Saint Louis Zoo?

Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) Signup and view all the answers

What key leadership style is highlighted as effective during the Zoo's crisis in 2020?

Transformational leadership Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a contribution of the RIM program during the pandemic?

Increased in-person animal interactions Signup and view all the answers

How has modern leadership adapted to support employees during the hybrid work environment?

By promoting remote work and empowerment Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed significantly to the challenges of records management during the hybrid work model?

Management of multiple platforms and offices Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary outcome of the rapid transitions made during the pandemic at the Zoo?

Enhanced operational procedures Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of online training was emphasized as needing more frequent updates?

Assessment quality and enrollment processes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about employee satisfaction during remote work is accurate?

Employees demonstrated higher productivity with employer support. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge was particularly noted about implementing consistent procedures during the pandemic?

Regularly changing policies and procedures Signup and view all the answers

What major benefit was achieved by moving to cloud hosting for Animal Management Services?

It significantly reduced the number of individual module purchases. Signup and view all the answers

Which method of training delivery was adopted immediately after transitioning away from in-person training during the pandemic?

Virtual presentations via Zoom. Signup and view all the answers

How many modules are included in the Animal Management Services training program?

10 modules Signup and view all the answers

By November 2023, how many ZIMS users were reported at the Saint Louis Zoo?

212 users Signup and view all the answers

What was the original percentage of the vendor's clients that were cloud hosted before the transition in 2014?

80 percent Signup and view all the answers

What role do interns play within Animal Management Services?

They help with digitization and data quality control. Signup and view all the answers

What notable change occurred regarding client adoption of cloud hosting from 2014 to 2019?

It increased to 80 percent. Signup and view all the answers

What significant resource was eliminated due to the transition to cloud hosting?

Desktop printers Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the training program was enhanced as a result of the shift to online courses?

Standardized animal records training. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key focuses of Animal Management Services in developing their training programs?

Committing to Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Saint Louis Zoo Overview

Located in Missouri, the Saint Louis Zoo is a tax-supported political subdistrict and partners with the Saint Louis Zoo Association for fundraising.
The Zoo's mission is to conserve animals and their habitats through management, research, recreation, and educational programs.
Accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) with additional properties, including the Sears Lehmann, Jr. Wildlife Reserve and WildCare Park.
Employs 1213 staff members and has 1577 volunteers.

Transition Due to Covid-19

The pandemic prompted rapid technological advancements and a transition from traditional procedures to remote work.
Resulted in improved Records and Information Management (RIM) and Information Governance (IG) programs and enhanced employee satisfaction.
Flexible work policies introduced, allowing hybrid work schedules across various departments.

Historical Context and Operational Excellence

The Zoo established exceptional standards for information management to ensure animal care and legal compliance since the 1970s.
Rae Lynn Haliday hired as the first Registrar in 1991 to oversee animal records management and compliance.
The RIM Program for Animal and Veterinary Records developed collaboratively and recognized as a model case study by the AZA in 2020.
The registrar team honored with the 2021 NAGARA Award for Program Excellence in Records Management.

Technological Innovations Post-Covid-19

Prior to Covid-19, pilots for virtual meetings and e-signatures were underway, traditionally relying on in-person methods.
Shift to remote work led to successful adoption of electronic records management, allowing animal keepers to input data from home.
Transition to virtual training and collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom, Teams) revolutionized meetings and training effectiveness.
Embraced e-signature integration within document management to enhance efficiency in animal transaction contracts.

Cloud Hosting and Training Evolution

Transition to cloud hosting began in 2019, shifting from locally hosted systems, completed in June 2020 during the pandemic.
Cloud migration reduced IT support needs and streamlined workflows while enhancing data protection.
Training transformed from in-person sessions to online courses encompassing 10 modules, improving accessibility and standardization.

Impact on Employee and Organizational Efficiency

Since launching online training in June 2022, over 100 employees trained, including animal keepers and veterinary staff.
The current ZIMS user base includes around 212 active users engaged in daily data entry across Zoo locations.
The Zoo's collection totals 483 species and over 16,000 specimens based on the 2022 Animal Census.

Leadership and Crisis Management

The pandemic necessitated transformational leadership to inspire and motivate staff during an unprecedented crisis.
RIM programs gained recognition and support as essential for continued Zoo operations amidst challenges.
Emphasis on remote work fostered employee satisfaction and productivity, reflecting modern leadership principles focused on empowerment.

Concluding Insights

Despite challenges, rapid advancements in procedures and policies were made during the pandemic, enhancing operational resilience.
Constantly evolving training and management practices are crucial for navigating a hybrid work environment effectively.
The Zoo's commitment to continuous assessment of procedures ensures adaptability to changing circumstances.

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Description

This quiz explores the advancements in records management and information governance at the Saint Louis Zoo, particularly in response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. It highlights the innovative leadership and management strategies employed to enhance operations and animal conservation efforts.