[BOAI] Comparing repositories - subject-based, institutional, research and national repository systems

[Armbruster, Chris]

Dear colleagues,

We would like to discuss a new distinction among repository types, not just differentiating institutional and subject-based repositories, but also research repositories and national repository systems. For this purpose we have written a working paper that we would like to invite you to respond to. We imagine that this new four-fold distinction would help repository managers and stakeholders in improving repository services in a targetted manner. Please answer to the list (or, if you prefer, write to me directly).

- Armbruster, Chris and Romary, Laurent, Comparing Repositories Types: Challenges and Barriers for Subject-Based Repositories, Research Repositories, National Repository Systems and Institutional Repositories in Serving Scholarly Communication (November 20, 2009).
Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1506905

After two decades of repository development, some conclusions may be drawn as to which type of repository and what kind of service best supports digital scholarly communication, and thus the production of new knowledge.
Four types of publication repository may be distinguished, namely the subject-based repository, research repository, national repository system and institutional repository.
Two important shifts in the role of repositories may be noted. With regard to content, a well-defined and high quality corpus is essential. This implies that repository services are likely to be most successful when constructed with the user and reader uppermost in mind. With regard to service, high value to specific scholarly communities is essential. This implies that repositories are likely to be most useful to scholars when they offer dedicated services supporting the production of new knowledge.
Along these lines, challenges and barriers to repository development may be identified in three key dimensions: a) identification and deposit of content; b) access and use of services; and c) preservation of content and sustainability of service. An indicative comparison of challenges and barriers in some major world regions such as Europe, North America and East Asia plus Australia is offered in conclusion.

Best wishes, Chris Armbruster

Other publications and working papers of potential interest:

- Romary, Laurent and Armbruster, Chris, Beyond Institutional Repositories. International Journal of Digital Library Systems 1(1) (forthcoming, 2010). Available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1425692

- Armbruster, Chris, Whose Metrics? On Building Citation, Usage and Access Metrics as Information Service for Scholars. Learned Publishing 23(1) (forthcoming, 2010). Available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1464706

- Armbruster, Chris, The European Research Conundrum: When Research Organizations Impede Scientific and Technological Breakthroughs Despite Targets, Money and Policy to Foster These Activities (October 27, 2009). Available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1494534
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