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National Archives Releases New Data Sets on Data.gov

Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero announced that the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA; www.archives.gov) has added three new high-value data sets to the Data.gov website. He invites public comment on developing an Open Government Plan, focusing on transparency, participation, and collaboration improvements. The National Archives is creating this plan in accordance with the Obama Administration's Open Government Directive of December 2009, which was issued to promote new lines of communication and cooperation between the federal government and the American people.

The first milestone of the Open Government Directive was met on Jan. 22 with the release of new data sets on Data.gov. Each major government agency has uploaded at least three data sets in this initial action. The National Archives released the 2007-2009 Code of Federal Regulations and two data sets from its Archival Research Catalog. This is the first time this material is available as raw data in XML format.

The National Archives is also creating a plan that lays out what it needs to do to further meet the goals of Open Government and how it will get there. To help the National Archives develop its Open Government Plan, it is asking the public to share ideas for a plan. Submit comments on the National Archives Open Government Plan by March 19, 2010, using any of the following methods:

• Email: OpenGov@nara.gov
• NARAtions blog: http://blogs.archives.gov/online-public-access/?cat=54
• Mail: Open Government Team, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 3200, College Park, MD 20740-6001.
• The National Archives Open Government webpage: www.archives.gov/open. This web page should be available by Feb. 6, 2010.

The Open Government Directive is available at www.whitehouse.gov/open/documents/open-government-directive.

Source: NARA