Information Stewardship Forum – 2026: Building Shared Practices for the Preservation and Access of Government Information

A meeting hosted by the Internet Archive | 18–20 March 

Information Stewardship Forum 2026 convenes a diverse group of practitioners—including librarians, technologists, data consumers, and archivists—dedicated to preserving and expanding access to public and open U.S. government information. This cross-sector gathering will foster dialogue and shared understanding by clarifying preservation priorities, mapping existing efforts, and identifying gaps across agencies, nonprofits, and research institutions.

The Forum will also create space for participants to share tools, workflows, and lessons learned from digital and physical preservation efforts, supporting practical knowledge exchange across domains and disciplines. Together, these conversations will inform strategies and next steps that may support greater coordination, shared practices, and—where appropriate—the development of joint initiatives and durable infrastructure to ensure government data remains accessible, trustworthy, and resilient in a rapidly changing information landscape.

Registration is by invitation – for more information contact Merrilee Proffitt, Director, Democracy’s Library US

Draft Agenda

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

12:00–1:00 Registration + Lunch
1:00–1:30 Opening & Scene Setting
1:30–2:05 Plenary Panel 1: Coordination, Alliances, and a Shared Stewardship Ecosystem
2:05–2:20 Lightning Talks Block A: Technical Infrastructure & Integrity
2:20–2:45 Connection Break
2:45–3:45 Birds-of-a-Feather Round 1
• Data Rescue, Preservation, and Archival Practice
• Infrastructure, Tools, and Technical Systems Builders
• Legislation, Policy, and Accountability
• Users, Storytellers, and Impact
• Coordination, Funding, and Institutional Futures
4:00–4:50 Plenary Panel 2: Infrastructure, Tools, and Standards for Digital Government Information
4:55–5:00 Day 1 Close
5:00–7:00 Evening Social: Reception and Clement Crawl

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

8:30–9:30 Breakfast + Informal Meetups
9:30–9:45 Day Framing
9:45–10:25 Plenary Panel 3: Legislation, Policy, and Accountability for Government Information
10:25–10:45 Lightning Talks Block B: Monitoring Change & Detecting Loss
10:45–11:15 Connection Break
11:15–12:30 Birds-of-a-Feather Round 2
• Data Rescue, Preservation, and Archival Practice
• Infrastructure, Tools, and Technical Systems Builders
• Legislation, Policy, and Accountability
• Users, Storytellers, and Impact
• Coordination, Funding, and Institutional Futures
12:30–1:30 Lunch
1:30–2:10 Plenary Panel 4: Funding, Sustainability, and the Future of Government Information
2:10–2:25 Lightning Talks Block C: Public Engagement & Communities of Practice
2:25–3:30 Unprogrammed Collaboration Time
3:30–3:55 Break
4:00–4:45 Plenary Synthesis: What’s Emerging Across the Forum
5:15 Depart for Evening Social
6:00 Social Event: Exploratorium After Dark

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

8:00–9:00 Breakfast
9:00–9:20 Opening Reflection
9:20–10:00 Plenary Panel 5: Use, Impact, and Public Meaning of Preserved Data
10:00–10:25 Structured Reflection & Conversation
10:30–10:50 Connection Break
10:50–11:10 Featured Session: A Stewardship Manifesto
11:10–12:00 Forum Close: Commitments, Signals, and What Comes Next