A case study in institutional repository content curation. A collaborative partner approach to preserving and sustaining digital scholarship
| Published date | 13 February 2017 |
| Pages | 63-76 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-07-2016-0026 |
| Date | 13 February 2017 |
| Author | A. Miller |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology,Records management & preservation,Information repositories |
A case study in institutional
repository content curation
A collaborative partner approach to preserving
and sustaining digital scholarship
A. Miller
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this case study is to illustrate how a university library collaborated with a specic
college to preserve scholarship with a sustainable approach. The practical process described is recommended
for increasing content submissions in a newly established institutional repository. Of the eight colleges at
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), the Honors College was selected as a case study for a library–
college collaboration on content curation for the institutional repository that is maintained by MTSU’s Walker
Library.
Design/methodology/approach –Concept of shared and divided responsibilities for the upload,
maintenance and sustainability of institutional repository submissions based on a particular case study and
aided with literature on data management, digital publishing, library publishing and preservation research.
Findings –The partner approach, the sharing and division of responsibilities, is instrumental to the growth
and sustainability of a library publishing program and for the preservation of university scholarship.
Practical implications –The (college) partner approach not only educates campus units about a new
resource (e.g. institutional repository), but also encourages campus units to rethink other current and outdated
practices that need to adapt to technological changes that support the unit and its students. This approach will
help the library with campus outreach after an institutional repository is implemented and offers guidance on
a collaborative approach to repository submission growth.
Originality/value –This paper suggests a (college) partner approach that mutually benets the College
and its students, departments and the library that maintains the institutional repository on behalf of the
university. During the implementation process of this case study, an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/
accessibility compliance issue of repository items surfaced and allowed for a new course of action to be taken
campus wide which adds to the originality of this case study.
Keywords Collaboration, Institutional repository, Content recruitment, Digital scholarship,
Digital preservation, Content curation, Data management
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Open access and institutional repositories are commonplace today in the university setting.
More and more academic libraries are taking on the roles of leading such efforts on campus
(Palmer et al., 2008;Soo et al., 2007). Deciding on technical needs (including software options,
server space, backup measures and staff expertise), data management, development
procedures, data management and outreach initiatives are all vital to the success of an
institutional repository (IR). Once the software is decided (e.g. DSpace, Digital Commons),
installed and test items uploaded by the library, the IR is ready for the campus to get
involved. But how is that done? Faculty and staff are busy with their own agendas. How does
the library encourage the uploading of submissions directly from the faculty and staff? How
does the library promote the IR when university emails are already over-pouring inboxes
with other announcements that people often overlook due to time constraints?
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2059-5816.htm
Content
curation
63
DigitalLibrary Perspectives
Vol.33 No. 1, 2017
pp.63-76
©Emerald Publishing Limited
2059-5816
DOI 10.1108/DLP-07-2016-0026
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