Website snapshots
The Maryland State Archives (MSA) is responsible for archiving all State of Maryland data, including websites. The MSA team continuously completes both scheduled and ad-hoc website archival snapshots.
Before making significant changes to your state website, request an ad-hoc archival snapshot of your website. You should also consider requesting a snapshot of the new version after it has been launched.
Significant changes include:
- Introducing a new Information Architecture (IA) or navigation strategy
- Retiring sections of the site or collections of files/artifacts
- Retiring a site
- Launching a redesigned site
- Site migrations to a new/different content management system (CMS)
- Changes of administration or senior agency leadership
How to request an archival snapshot of your website
-
1
Plan when to submit a request
The MSA team typically completes an archival snapshot in two to four weeks. Plan to submit your request for an archival snapshot based on your website's size and complexity.
- Small sites: At least two weeks in advance
- Large/Complex sites: At least one month in advance
-
2
Request an archival snapshot
Submit your request via email to the Web Archiving Team: Christopher Schini and Andrew Forschler.
-
3
Respond to requests for more information from the MSA
The MSA team may need additional information or may have questions before completing your request. If so, they will reach out to the contact person on your request.
Once the MSA team initiates the archival process, their tools will automatically crawl and capture your website's content. Then they will review the archival snapshot for accuracy and completeness.
-
4
The MSA publishes an archival snapshot of your website
The MSA team provides your contact person with confirmation that your archival snapshot:
- Has been published
- Is visible at a specific URL at the Archive-It Maryland State Archives
