Tapping into state information with Open Missouri David

Tapping into state information with Open Missouri David Herzog Reynolds Journalism Institute 2010 -2011 Donald W. Reynolds Fellow @Open. Missouri

Developed at RJI

Open Missouri goals Inform Missourians about public data held by government agencies Inspire journalists, citizens, web developers, entrepreneurs, businesses and non-profits to access and use public data in ways that enhance their civic, professional and personal lives Serve as a platform that connects people who are using data from state and local government agencies Educate Missourians about how they can access and use public data

The back story: two threads U. S. government transparency Culture of sharing

Transparency history

Data’s gone social

The big question: How do we use simple, freely available technology to connect people with state and local data?

Launched during Sunshine Week

By the numbers Catalog: More than 230 data sets listed Department listing: 19 state agencies User community: 50 registered users

Features Sunshine request generator Suggest a data set Commenting Social-media sharing tools

How we gathered information Pilot with Spring 2010 computer-assisted reporting class Two master’s graduate research assistants canvassed top-level state agencies 20102011 school year for offline database inventories

Database details Database name Description Format in which data is stored Time span covered by data Update frequency Cost

Agency details Description Mailing address Level of government Entity name Director Website

Sunshine details Contact name Title Phone number Email requests accepted? Email address

Maintaining accuracy Before posting ◦ Verified all information about agencies ◦ Reviewed information about databases After posting ◦ Sent links to agency staff after data sets listed ◦ Work in progress. Update as needed to maintain accuracy and timeliness

Using Open. Missouri. org to find information Search Browse data sets Browse by agency Browse by category

Search

Browse data sets

Browse by category

Browse by agency

Join community to do more Generate Sunshine request letters Suggest data that we should add

How to join

Creating a Sunshine letter

Suggesting data

Support us: Join community by creating account Use the Sunshine letter generator Follow on Twitter: @Open. Missouri Sign up for email newsletter on home page Subscribe to RSS feeds (blog and data set)

Questions? Contact David Herzog at ◦ herzogd@missouri. edu ◦ Twitter: @davidherzog ◦ (573) 882 -2127