JISC

Repositories Enhancement Project

Oxford University Research Archive (the successor to the Oxford Eprints repository set up as a part of the SHERPA project) allows relationships between disparate repository objects to be expressed and stored as part of the Fedora object model. At the same time, while the underlying Fedora architecture is very flexible, there are types of digital object for which it is not the optimal storage or delivery mechanism and which therefore naturally reside in other repository systems (ASK and SRB in this case). A unified discovery and navigation mechanism for such resources should therefore be decoupled from the actual storage and delivery systems.

Aims and objectives

The Bridging the Interoperability Divide (BID) project will use the principles underpinning the JISC e-framework to build interoperability between 3 repository systems: SRB, Fedora and ASK. The implementation will help join e-science, academic publishing and learning/ teaching practice communities by creating a joined-up set of repository services. The project will focus on demonstrating interoperability across the federation for the following services: harvesting (OAI), federated search (SRW), authentication (WebAuth), metadata management (MODS/ METS), identifiers, and discovery (OpenURL). The project also aims to create a client for authenticated bulk upload (ingest service) into an institutional repository.

Project methodology

The participating repositories all make use of a Web Services approach so that individual development efforts can be largely decoupled provided that interfaces are well-defined. This is necessary as all the repositories are part of larger programmes which will influence the timing of individual modules.

Anticipated outputs and outcomes

• Creation of tools for moving large numbers of files into the Fedora repository. The tool will ease the administrative overhead in populating online repositories so achieve the 'critical mass' required for making the use of institutional repositories common practice
• Demonstrable federated/consolidated search service working across Fedora, SRB and ASK metadata and with as many systems as possible outside of the federation
• Demonstrable harvesting service across the federation and with systems outside of the federation. Interoperability will be dependent on compliance with the OAI-PMH specifications
• Demonstrable implementation of a common approach to revision control through implementing an interoperable object identifier 'service.' The identifier service will enable a wide range of other services such as discover, search and harvest. This work will build on Oxford's work on the JISC the JISC River project1
• Demonstrable implementation of a common approach to metadata across the federation
• Demonstrable implementation of a federation-wide discovery service compliant with the OpenURL specification
• Online collection of scenarios and use cases and how they map to technical design decisions

Technology / Standards used

Web Services, Fedora, SRB, OAI-PMH, DC, ASK (Boddington/Sakai), Z39.50, SRU/SRW

Lead institution

• Oxford University

Project partners

• Oxford University Research Archive
• ASK Repository 
• Oxford eResearch Centre