Outsourcing open access: Digital Commons at the University of Wollongong, Australia

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to outline the experiences of an Australian university in selecting a proprietary solution for its open access digital repository requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

An overview is presented of the environment leading up to the decision to select Digital Commons over an open source software solution. The paper also outlines subsequent experiences during a one‐year period in operating the outsourced solution.

Findings

Outsourcing is an appropriate digital repository option for higher education institutions when costs are considered and compared with open source solutions, and especially when on‐site IT support is limited. Outsourcing allows local staff to concentrate on liaison with faculty in promoting and populating the repository.

Practical implications

A useful resource for those considering the use of proprietary or open source software for their institutional repository.

Originality/value

This papers deals with a little discussed area of the relatively new subject of open access institutional repositories.

Citation

Organ, M. and Mandl, H. (2007), "Outsourcing open access: Digital Commons at the University of Wollongong, Australia", OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, Vol. 23 No. 4, pp. 353-362. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650750710831493