The very model of a digital repository
Written on June 11, 2008
Sadly, it doesn’t scan properly, but it’s close.
I am, by dint of some technical know-how, a Master’s in Information Systems, and a perfidious streak of volunteerism, the Library’s lead person for the development of an institutional digital repository. We are relative latecomers to the game - many other higher-ed institutions already have some form of digital repository installed and running. In fact, we do too, although most of ours can be considered “beta” or “pilot” projects.
The project is closely integrated with university IT, who will provide the back-end support (one of the major steps forward over the pilot projects the library is currently running). We are currently considering software packages that could be used as repository installations (of which, according to Caveat Lector, none actually work), as well as considering user needs surveys, what faculty will actually want to do with the repository, how to market it, what my role will be when it’s established, and a host of other questions and concerns about repository setup.
The idea of a repository is fairly simple. The value of it is somewhat obvious to librarians (but deeply not so to nonlibrarians). The software packages are deceptively simple. But the biggest challenge may be mining the incredible amount of information and experience that’s already out there. Wish me luck.
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