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Open Access to Science Content: a view from the "Hole"
Ann Devenish (WHOAS Project Manager) began with a brief introduction of the MBL WHOI Library and one of its branches: the WHOI Data Library and Archives, the entity that operates the digital repository called Woods Hole Open Access Server. The MBL WHOI Library is supported by a partnership between the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. With the most unique print and electronic literature collections in the biological, biomedical, ecological, and oceanographic sciences, the library serves the Woods Hole science institutions as well as researchers and scientists around the world. The Data Library and Archives (DLA) is located at the McLean Laboratory at WHOI Quissett Campus. Its direct mission is to document, preserve, and make accessible the history of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in support of administration, teaching, research and service in the Woods Hole scientific community. In response to the increased demand for accessing and exchanging scholarly publications, the director of the MBL WHOI Library decided to build an e-print server in September 2002. A project team comprised of 12 people was formed to launch a pilot project. Various issues were considered, including software platform, task assignments, workflow, metadata for record description and document format for delivery. Dspace was chosen as the platform, due to its capability to handle all types of digital formats. Because it is OAI harvestable, Qualified Dublin Core was selected as the metadata scheme to describe digital objects. From the beginning it was understood that the library could not accomplish such an endeavor without collaboration with other stakeholders at Woods Hole. Individual research institutions at Woods Hole define appropriate content while members of those institutions provide digital objects. Author self-submission was chosen as the content intake process. During self-submission, the author creates basic descriptive metadata using an intake form via the user interface. Upon reception, library staff edits the metadata and approves the content for uploading to the repository. It is generally recognized that the library is responsible for hosting the IR, retaining and maintaining content submitted, and planning the migration of the contents as well as metadata when it becomes necessary. PDF is the choice of format for document delivery. The issue of copyright is a challenging one. To support placement of material in the institutional repository at Woods Hole, the library implemented the "Agreement to Extend Author's Rights," a document that gives Woods Hole authors and their institutions non-exclusive rights to use, distribute, and reproduce material in digital or print form in activities connected with the author's academic and professional endeavors. This agreement has been unanimously adopted by the Boston Library Consortium, of which the MBLWHOI Library is a member. The document can be accessed at http://www.mblwhoilibrary.org/services/copyright/pdf/amendment.pdf. However, it is emphasized by the library that in all cases, the content contributor must have copyright ownership and/or distribution rights within the U.S. Copyright Law. Size, document type, attainability, and ownership are important attributes to keep in mind when selecting a subject for the pilot project. Thirty-five copies of WHOI Technical Reports published from 2001-2003 by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution were chosen for the pilot. The size and the document type (text) were considered ideal for this project. Because all reports were produced and held locally, copyright was not an issue. Although Dspace provides the capability to modify metadata fields to accommodate most content providers' requests, it was realized that making everyone happy is an unrealistic goal. Time constraints and a conflict of opinions made such good will difficult to realize. As for content recruitment, relying on selections by the library such as the Technical Reports mentioned above is one possibility. Reaching out to friends and colleagues is another way. Many scholars and researchers are too busy to remember to deposit their publications in the library. Very often, it is necessary to keep track of scholarly journals for newly published papers and request them for the library. Harvesting from other open repositories for related articles is also a useful method. In fact, it contributes 65% as opposed to the 3% from voluntary submission. As of March 31, 2006, the repository holds 722 metadata records. Of these, there are 218 technical reports, working papers, and theses, 285 articles, 19 books, 2 presentations, 150 conference proceedings, and 48 newsletters. To have a glance at the repository, go to https://darchive.mblwhoilibrary.org/index.jsp. Reported by
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