The handbook provides support for both new and existing repository managers, comprising both recommended practices and specifically identified action steps that will allow them to track their progress and identify gaps. Each section of the handbook covers a different strategic area of repository management, standing largely on its own and linking to other sections when appropriate. Although there is no primary section order, we recommend starting with Repository Scope and Service Planning.
The handbook specifically addresses principles and practices pertaining to digital repositories, where a digital repository can be defined as: a system, the purpose of which is to store, present, and preserve a collection of data for which the library provides services. That is, the term refers specifically to the application as opposed to the content (collections, objects and metadata) within.
In order to better coordinate a repository ecology that includes many individual systems, and synthesize staff knowledge and expertise that spans decades, the Repository Principles subgroup of Cornell University Library's Repository Executive Group (RepoExec) has created this open handbook of repository principles and strategies. Additionally, the handbook is designed to engender a larger conversation about repository management practices, both at Cornell and beyond. As such, it is a living document that RepoExec will continue to edit and update in response to changes in the repository landscape and feedback from readers, and that living document is available on Cornell University Library's website. The original handbook points to Cornell-specific service centers for providing in-house services and consulting, it is our hope that the document may be useful to a readership beyond the Cornell University Library. The handbook was translated into a GitHub repository by members of the Office of Scholarly Communication and Publishing at the University Library System at the University of Pittsburgh. As part of that work, the Cornell-specific language was changed to be generic where possible, while keeping many of the good examples from Cornell as reference. The Pitt team is using Cornell's Repository Handbook to update our instutitutional repository policies and processes at the University of Pittsburgh, and also intend to allow the forking of this repository for use by other universities for similar projects.
Below you will find the grounding principles that underlie the handbook and repository work; the sections that comprise the handbook; and the terminology used within the handbook for the roles that should be filled when providing repository services.
- Repositories are services that require support; they are not discrete projects or information silos; they exist within a larger repositories ecosystem.
- Repository services are dedicated to preserving and providing access to digital objects and their metadata.
- Repository services should be developed with users' needs, ethos, and workflows in mind.
- Repository services are dedicated to sustainable support and access of the objects for users.
The handbook is divided into the following sections. Each section was written by a pair of primary authors, selected for their interest and expertise in the topic covered, with revisions and additional material provided by the subgroup as a whole.
- Role identification
- Defining repository scope
- Service Planning
- Access: Discovery and Delivery
- Assessment of Impact
- Curation
- Policy and Documentation
- Infrastructure and Interoperability
- Metadata Design and Best Practices
- Outreach
- Preservation
- Rights Management
You can also view the GitHub repository for this work.
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