JISC

A new book exploring the issue of institutional repositories acknowledges JISC’s work in promoting the development of digital repositories as a means of making research outputs, learning materials and other resources freely and openly available. Written by Theo Andrew and John MacColl of the University of Edinburgh and Richard Jones of the University of Bergen in Norway, the book – The Institutional Repository – explores the concept of institutional repositories, examining how they can be set up, maintained and embedded into general institutional working practice.

Institutional repositories have the potential to store and make available scientific data, teaching materials, as well as published papers, and much more. Their great advantage is that they allow the free sharing of information and increase the visibility and impact of UK education and research.

“Repositories are simply databases,” write the authors of The Institutional Repository, “[but] what distinguishes institutional repositories is the idea that an internal database can serve more than an administrative purpose, and can constitute a building block in a distributed international service.”

Looking at the history of the concept of institutional repositories, as well as their technical, administrative, cultural and legal aspects, the book also offers practical insights, including an extended case study, into the issues surrounding the setting up of an institutional repository.

Co-author John MacColl said:

“What we wanted to do with this book was to establish the claim of institutional repositories to be an important new player in the field of academic information management and publishing. It was important for us to acknowledge JISC’s contribution to their development because JISC had picked up on our initial enthusiasm for creating an e-theses service, and had supported us with funding for two important development projects at a critical time. That funding played a large role in the development of our own institutional repository at Edinburgh.”

JISC Repositories programme manager Neil Jacobs welcomed the publication of the book, saying:

“Repositories are becoming established in a number of institutions, both in the UK and around the world. But their continued development depends a great deal on our continuing to overcome cultural barriers to their acceptance and use. National organisations such as JISC can support their growth, but researchers, lecturers and practitioners within institutions need most of all to become convinced of their value and their immense potential. This book addresses these issues directly and will, I’m sure, help inform the debate and guide many through the complex issues surrounding the development of institutional repositories.”

For further details of the new book, please go to: The Institutional Repository