Preserving Today’s Public Geospatial Data for Future Researchers

What happens to public geospatial data when it isn’t systematically archived? How do nations ensure that today’s datasets remain accessible as part of the historical record? Can we balance the urgency of providing real-time data with the responsibility to preserve it for future researchers?

To explore these questions, this paper compares how countries manage and preserve geospatial data over time, focusing on two primary governance models: decentralized and centralized. Decentralized systems, such as those in the United States, rely on local governments to manage data. This approach often leads to inconsistent access and preservation across regions. Centralized systems, like the European Union’s INSPIRE Directive, emphasize standardized data-sharing practices across all levels of government. While this approach achieves consistency, it may not satisfy diverse local needs. Hybrid models that combine elements of both approaches are also examined.

This paper introduces a comparative framework to evaluate key aspects of spatial data infrastructures, including metadata standards, open versus restricted data, temporal coverage, retention policies, geoportal technology, and governance structures. The analysis identifies where these systems excel and where they fall short in addressing data preservation. Libraries, with their expertise in curation and long-term stewardship, can play a role in bridging these gaps by supporting intentional archiving practices. It concludes that such practices will ensure that today’s geographic information remains accessible and valuable for future use.

This session invites attendees to reflect on their own national systems and contribute to a global dialogue on building better strategies for managing and preserving geospatial data for generations to come.