Implementing a collaborative digital repository: the dCollection experience in South Korea

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to describe the background, purpose, and achievement of the digital repository, dCollection, which preserves the research outputs of colleges and universities in South Korea. dCollection is a platform designed to assist college and university libraries in creating, managing, and maintaining digital collections.

Design/methodology/approach

The article describes the experience of dCollection.

Findings

The findings describe several strategies to develop a nationwide digital repository taking into consideration the research outputs of colleges and universities in South Korea. One strategy is to encourage several large‐sized university libraries to participate as partners at the beginning of the project since they can be more influential than smaller ones to successfully set the project in motion. Another strategy is to provide advantages for small‐sized college and university libraries to participate in a collaborative digital repository without any additional expenditure. Small‐sized college and university libraries should be able to upload metadata and full texts to the KERIS server without the purchase of hardware and software and they can create and access a collaborative digital repository for free. Nationwide access of dCollection is valuable as it encourages both large and small college and university libraries to join in the project.

Originality/value

The article shares dCollection experiences with the wider community and to guide the best practices in the development of a national and global digital repository.

Citation

Shin, E. (2006), "Implementing a collaborative digital repository: the dCollection experience in South Korea", Interlending & Document Supply, Vol. 34 No. 4, pp. 160-163. https://doi.org/10.1108/02641610610714722