Digital repository management
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OVERVIEW
Digital repository management refers to the maintenance of a collection of digital resources which may include a rich variety of formats such as audiovisual objects, datasets, presentations, learning materials and research works. Repositories are not confined to the higher and further education sectors, but are a well-established feature of community content: YouTube and Flickr are two examples. Considerations include descriptions of the resources through Metadata, maintenance of accessible copies as software changes and new hardware devices become available and ensuring that multiple copies of the resources are retained in a variety of secure environments. When built using open standards repositories can work better with external collections. A number of organisations provide advice and guidance on setting up and maintaining a repository.
Why repositories are important
It has become increasingly important for FE and HE institutions as part of their information strategy to be able to locate, use and share the intellectual assets of their teachers, students and administrative systems. In some cases repositories act as a record of the activity within the institution, a dynamic archive, whilst in others making this intellectual property available in the public domain is a condition of funding.
Sharing of learning objects (individual pieces of e-learning) is having an impact on cross-disciplinary teaching and learning and provides the means to support a range of learning styles with a variety of resources in a cost effective manner.
In Higher Education institutional repositories are seen as valuable tools to support the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) acting as they do as a record of the intellectual assets of the organisation including pre-prints of research undergoing peer review as well as post prints separate from papers that are submitted to commercial publishers. They also provide the means to store research theses and the datasets that support ongoing work in an institution.
Key points for managing repositories
Open standards
As noted above the use of open standards in creating a repository means that Metadata about repositories can be shared across organisations and directories of multiple repositories are available online, thus supporting scholarly communication in a digital environment. Similarly repository resources need to be stored in open systems that are not dependent on proprietary software if they are to remain accessible over time and managers of repositories need to bear this in mind. Consideration should also be given to security of the repository resources with back up copies being stored in a number of distinct and secure locations.
IPR and licensing
At the outset, it will be important to ensure that any IPR and licensing issues are resolved so ensure that as resources are shared via the repository, rights associated with individual objects, learning packages and matadata are clear and properly managed. The IPR and licensing toolkit provides advice and guidance on this aspect and the JISC OER programme IPR support service also has a useful starter pack and range of diagnostic tools to help decision-making and planning.
Guidance on setting up and maintaining a repository
A number of national and international organisations provide information about creating and maintenance of repositories:
Digital Curation Centre
The [http:www.dcc.ac.uk Digital Curation Centre] briefing papers cover all aspects of the management and preservation of digital resources, including advice on repositories:
JISC Cetis
JISC CETIS, the Centre for Educational Technology and Interoperability Standards, provides advice to the UK Higher and Post-16 Education sectors on educational technology and standards. Their web site brings together educational technology news, comment and analysis, as well as information on community events. Its aim is to contribute to current debates and future thinking in this rapidly growing and changing field.
The repositories strand of CETIS's work looks at the use of systems to manage learning resources, especially the dissemination of those resources (whether open or otherwise). A repository is broadly defined as a place where resources can be kept. Thus Web2.0 services such as YouTube and Flickr are as much in scope as traditional repository software such as DSpace and ePrints.
JISC repositories and preservation programme
This programme is concerned to enable managed approach to assets to enhances opportunities for efficient use of existing research, to improve learning experiences and encourage collaboration within and between different disciplines and groups. It also will act as a catalyst to research by improving access to content, better management of content, and by enabling new kinds of research such as that in e-science.
Related Digipedia article
Further information
JISC: Repositories briefing paper
Digital Curation Centre: Digital repositories
Open Archives (European database)
Register of Open Access Repositories
JISC Cetis
Harvested links to other resources
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