National Support

Support for the use of repositories by academics and the maintenance of repositories by their administrators is needed. Such services may address specific issues, such as Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) or serve specific national needs, for example, relating to the research funding environment of the country.

• Support for academic use of repositories

  The main obstacle in the development of repositories so far has been the slow pace of adoption by academics, in spite of the benefits that repository offers both authors and researchers. The reasons for this have been identified as both practical and cultural. While some international services can provide support on specific issues, like the DRIVER Search Service providing search facilities, or the RoMEO service giving information on IPR issues, national-level support structures are needed to address specific national issues.

• Support for administration of repositories

  International and global liaison between repositories is achieved through the use of the OAI-PMH or similar metadata standards. The administration of individual repositories can be left to lower levels of collaboration. National administrative collaboration allows administrators to work with peers who share the same legislative and funding environment, sharing experiences and developments. National groups to provide mutual support are being developed.

  One example of this is the UK-based UKCORR - the UK Council of Research Repositories. The OpenAIRE network provides another example of a support structure for administration at a European level.

• Coordination of funding body / repository liaison

  While some research is funded internationally, the majority of funding has roots in national funding bodies. Researchers and repository administrators need information specific to their country's funding policies and structures. An increasing number of funding bodies are developing mandates that require open access deposition of material. There needs to be some coordination between the requirements of funding agencies and the national provision of open access support.

Last updated: 04-Feb-2010