Roundtable Discussion on Permanent Access to Scientific and Technical Data Resources

Session Chair: William L Anderson, Praxis101, Rye , NY , USA Co-chair CODATA Preservation TG

Long-term preservation and access to scientific and technical (S&T) data and information continue to present scientific, management, policy, economic, and technical challenges that affect scientific research, development, and world wide social action on environmental, medical, and educational development. The need for continued attention to these issues is important for developed and developing countries. The issues of archiving and access to S&T data are key themes arising from the recent Priority Area Assessments of both CODATA and ICSU. The CODATA Task Group on Preservation of and Access to Scientific and Technical Data in Developing Countries, in collaboration with the US National Committee for CODATA has been developing an Internet portal on Permanent Access to Scientific and Technical Data Resources. This portal provides (1) an annotated bibliography of papers, reports, books, and other information on digital data preservation and access, (2) an annotated directory of resources (data centers and collections, institutions, tools, and online portals, gateways, and weblogs), and (3) an online social network of researchers and data managers.

This session has two objectives. One is to review the current portal implementation and operation and to solicit feedback and suggestions. The second is to discuss the current state of preservation of and access to S&T data internationally, and to solicit suggestions for immediate and long-term future efforts. An open discussion of the challenges and possibilities for permanent access to S&T data and information will gather ideas that can insure its realization.