Digital repositories: concepts and issues

Abstract

Digital repositories have become an increasingly recognized means of digitally archiving and enabling access to digital information. The long-term survival, value and usability of the information stored within digital repositories depends on numerous criteria such as the formats selected for storage, the capture of associated metadata, proactive preservation measures, and the perceived trust in the repository itself. Repositories are important for universities and colleges in helping to manage and capture intellectual assets as a part of their information strategy. A digital repository can hold a wide range of materials for a variety of purposes and users. It can support research, learning, and administrative processes. However, repository solutions are most viable and sustainable when they are built on open standards.