Open Source Digital Repository Software

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library by David Sky / CC BY-NC SA

DSpace is a digital asset repository intended for organizations to store all manner of digital content, but individual users can use the software, too. Although originally built by MIT and Hewlett-Packard (HP), the software is now supported by DuraSpace and is available for open use and modification. I discovered this resource through Source Forge where organizations and individuals can download the software. Users can store many types of digital assets, from books, journals, and articles to photographs, videos, and webpages.

The programmers of DSpace recommend keeping a backup of all materials, but that is a good practice with any repository, not just open source ones; as is common with OSS, this software is free to use. The FAQ page can answer technical questions. However there are three other highly-useful resources for new users as well: the DSpace Course, DSpace Resources Wiki Page, and Community Presentations. A low level of technical support is a common misconception made by those unfamiliar with OSS; DSpace is an excellent example of a vast and thriving community which supports users. This high level of support may be one of the reasons so many universities and organizations use this resource. From Belgium alone, DSpace is used by 16 organizations including the European Commission JRC Publications Repository, ULB, and KU-Leuven.

Source Links:
http://www.dspace.org/
http://www.duraspace.org/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/dspace/?source=directory
https://wiki.duraspace.org/display/DSPACE/EndUserFaq#EndUserFaq-IsDSpacefree
https://wiki.duraspace.org/display/DSPACE/TechnicalFaq
http://www.dspace.org/index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=9&catid=40&id=3616&view=article
http://www.dspace.org/index.php?option=com_content&Itemid=9&catid=35&id=126&view=article
https://wiki.duraspace.org/display/DSPACE/DSpaceResources
http://www.dspace.org/user-group-meetings
http://www.dspace.org/index.php?option=com_formdashboard&orderby=CountryASC&page=1&Itemid=151