Never Post Rescuing Public Datasets the U.S. Gov't Deletes
Jul 30, 2025
Molly Blake, a social sciences librarian at the University of Minnesota, and Linda Kellum, a data librarian and organizer of the Data Rescue Project, discuss the urgent need to preserve public datasets threatened by government cuts. They highlight tactical efforts to archive vital information, particularly from the Department of Education, emphasizing community involvement's role in democracy. The conversation sheds light on the historical significance of data preservation and the ongoing battle against digital information loss.
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Data Loss Threatens Education Research
- The dismantling of the Department of Education threatens massive data loss and impacts researchers deeply.
- Data like ERIC's coverage shrinking will reduce access to educational research and hinder knowledge progress.
Government Data Is Public Treasure
- Public government data belongs to the people and is critical for democracy.
- Its loss undermines informed citizenship and holding the government accountable.
Preserve Data With Tools & Reporting
- Add the Wayback Machine browser extension to your browser to save webpages at risk.
- Report removed or altered government info through the Tracking Government Information Project form.
