> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://civic-switchboard.gitbook.io/guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://civic-switchboard.gitbook.io/guide/library-roles/archiving-civic-data.md). # Archiving civic data **What's the need?** * Open data publishers, whether individual organizations or aggregators, are often not built with long-term stewardship in mind. Specifically, they may not account for dataset versioning, digital preservation workflows and metadata, or a long-term commitment to data availability **Why the library?** * Libraries have experience in preserving resources for future use, particularly items created by governments or other public entities. **What you can do:** * Archive and preserve civic data in a library-managed repository or in partnership with an external repository. **Inspiration:** * United States: [Data Refuge](https://www.datarefuge.org/) * United States: [End of Term Presidential Harvest]() **Resources you can use:** * Temple University Libraries. “[Future Proofing Civic Data: Exploring the Challenges of Preserving Open Civic Data for the Long Term](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vymMtPf0PP17qehPeKXSCu-37mJOlvnEf9IKypXWWRA/edit#heading=h.a45xpvi99a5p)” --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://civic-switchboard.gitbook.io/guide/library-roles/archiving-civic-data.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.