The project will provide an institutional repository for York St John University based on Hyperion, a module of the Sirsidynix Unicorn Library Management System. This will ensure integration with the LMS and availability of data to a wide audience. The project will use as a pilot the digital products of the C4C CETL.

YSJ Digirep


Start date: 1 September 2007

End date: 31 March 2009

Funding programme: Repositories and Preservation programme

Project website: http://www.yorksj.ac.uk/library/resources/archive/index.aspx

JISC theme(s): Information environment, e-Resources, e-Learning

Repositories Start Up Project

Overview

The University produces teaching materials in a number of digital formats e.g. CD, DVD and on the computer network. Some Doctoral and Masters theses are available in electronic format but due to the lack of a digital repository are not easily retrievable. When SirsiDynix (supplier of the main Library computer system) decided not to develop further the repository software that Library and Information Services had already acquired alternative software had to be found at short notice. PTFS Europe was just beginning to market ArchivalWare in the UK, and after a satisfactory demonstration and overview of the software the purchase was made. The requirement now is to complete implementation of the software and integrate this with the Library system and the online public access catalogue.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the project is to establish a repository of university published teaching and learning material, initially largely material already available in digital format, focussing initially on the output from the C4C CETL as a pilot project, but extending to other material, such as theses, exam papers, special collections, and in particular research output.

The objectives will be the implementation of the PTFS ArchivalWare software, and the development of processes to populate the repository.

Project methodology

Set-up and implementation of PTFS ArchivalWare.

Investigation and implementation of procedures for deposit of material, including rights management.

The Project Director, assisted by the Digital Archive Development Coordinator will oversee the implementation of ArchivalWare, coordinate and control the cataloguing of the digital media, and liaise with those areas interested in mounting data on the system. In the first instance this will be C4C staff and project leaders.

Anticipated outputs and outcomes
  • Deliver an institutional repository for York St John that will be used to deposit C4C CETL products, and other suitable teaching and learning materials
  • Form the main component in the development and delivery of an institutional programme for the digitisation of materials, and associated issues
  • Dissemination of C4C Fellows’ work and other resources to the wider community from one easily searchable point, i.e. the Library OPAC
  • Implementation of procedures and policies for rights management
  • Consolidate information relating to potential storage of research output
  • Linking with other resources such as the VLE, ensuring use of learning objects by students
Technology / Standards used

PTFS ArchivalWare is searchable via the online library catalogue and also offers the ability to search the text of digitised documents, using pattern, Boolean and concept searching. ArchivalWare is built using an open architecture with J2EE integration. It also uses recognised metadata standards (Dublin core and XML), and is OAI-PMH compliant.

Lead Institution

YorkSt John University

project staff

Project Manager & Team
Project Team
  • Last updated on 09/01/09 by Kerry Ann Down