Libraries, archives, and museums in transition: changes, challenges, and convergence in a Scandinavian perspective

Abstract

practice on open data. The Evolution of Open Data (chapter 1) contains very helpful timelines on pages 32 and 40 and Examining the Value of Geospatial Open Data (chapter 6) analyses GIS-ready data with informative examples. A great strength is in the analysis of the importance of data for smarter cities (Reflections on the future of open data – chapter 9), building on the work in chapter 6. For those interested in copyright and court cases about access, Reusability of Publicly Accessible User Data on Platform Websites (chapter 3) provides detailed analysis. The references in this chapter to Freedom of Information provide insights into the application of the public interest test and commercial information. The area of personal information is only lightly touched on. The book will be of value to those interested in the legal aspects of open data and how it can be used to transform cities. For those interested in data sovereignty, Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Policy edited by Maggie Walter (Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group, 2021) will be more relevant. Its chapter 6 by Robyn K. Rowe, Julie R. Bull and Jennifer D. Walker on Indigenous self-determination and data governance in the Canadian policy context is particularly valuable. Overall I recommend those interested in government data read the book and compare the Canadian experience to the analysis in the Australian Productivity Commission report (Australia. Productivity Commission, 2017) to understand common threads in policy formation and access to government data.