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Data sources: data.virginia.gov

As I wrote in part one, Data sources: yesvirginia.org, "Data is crucial to making public policy and budget decisions. But getting good, solid, up-to-date data is not always easy and is often time consuming."


Today's data share is data.virginia.gov/, the Commonwealth's open data portal operated under the auspices of the Secretary of Technology.


According to the website,

Open data is all non-sensitive, public information that is made freely available for public use in an easily readable format. Open data empowers the public to unlock the value of the data. Citizens can develop mobile applications and other tools to use the information in ways which can translate into economic opportunity. The Commonwealth is committed to continue to grow the number of open datasets on the website.


Some examples of what you will find:
  • State workforce and health insurance data

  • Certified pesticide applicators

  • Higher education facility locations

  • December 1 Special Education Child Count (various years)

  • Virginia jail average daily population

  • Virginia GIS Clearinghouse


While there is an interesting mix of data on this site, there is much data the government collects that is missing. Nonetheless, the site is a must-bookmark.


An aside about referring to the data as open:
As an aside, one major shortcoming of this site is that some (most?) of the data is not actually open. Open isn't that it's shared. It isn't reports or tables in a PDF file. Instead, open is about the format of the data. It's about how data can be used. It's about who can access the data. Open Data Handbook offers a more substantial definition and also highlights the most important:

  • Availability and Access: the data must be available as a whole and at no more than a reasonable reproduction cost, preferably by downloading over the internet. The data must also be available in a convenient and modifiable form.
  • Re-use and Redistribution: the data must be provided under terms that permit re-use and redistribution including the intermixing with other datasets.
  • Universal Participation: everyone must be able to use, re-use and redistribute - there should be no discrimination against fields of endeavour or against persons or groups. For example, 'non-commercial' restrictions that would prevent 'commercial' use, or restrictions of use for certain purposes (e.g. only in education), are not allowed.


Further, Open Data Handbook writes, "If you're wondering why it is so important to be clear about what open means and why this definition is used, there's a simple answer: interoperability."


Have a data source you'd like to share? Email me, susie.cambria@gmail.com.

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