Digital Repository Vision

The University of Chicago Library Digital Repository is envisioned as existing in an ecology of repositories, each with a distinct function.

An institutional repository would centralize and showcase the research output of the University.

A digital asset management system would centralize and simplify the management of digital resources and associated metadata created at the University.

One or more digital data repositories will facilitate the discovery and access of datasets.

Off-site trusted digital repositories, e.g., Hathi Trust and Portico, will ensure the persistence of designated book and article content.

The Library Digital Repository will ensure the long-term persistence of all digital assets selected by the University for long-term preservation, including research output, digital resources and associated metadata, datasets, retrospectively digitized cultural materials, etc., not included in another preservation repository, such as Hathi Trust or Portico.

The Digital Repository also exists in an ecology of expectations and workflows supporting those expectations.

• Librarians expect it to contain masterfiles for digitally reformatted materials produced by units of the Library
• Librarians expect it to contain unique or rarely held materials which they select for long-term preservation
• Archivists expect it to contain digital materials acquired by the Special Collections Research Center, whether donated by faculty, the University administration, or others
• Faculty expect it to contain digital materials which they acquire or create, and which they select for long-term preservation

The Repository supports an accessioning interface for recording administrative metadata about deposits. This facilitates the workflow from selection to deposit, and ensures the necessary administrative control. A discovery interface with a minimal collection-level description of what has been deposited is maintained at repository.lib.uchicago.edu. Discovery and access mechanisms for individual items in the repository are being considered.