Open source software: An institutional digital repository system with special reference to DSPACE software in digital libraries - an introduction

Abstract

The institutional repositories are powerful systems that allow institutions to store and maintain their digital documents and permit interaction and collaboration among users in the organizations. There is a number of digital library software available as “Open Source” as well as in “Proprietary format”. Open source software helps libraries mainly in lowering initial and on-going costs, eliminating vendor lock-in and allowing greater flexibility. The main advantage of open source software is that it is generally available in free. DSpace is a ground breaking digital library system to capture, store, index, preserve and redistribute all scholarly research material in digital formats. This paper explains the open source software with special reference to DSpace software. It describes the DSpace system, types, content and data models, highlights the technical architecture of DSpace and finally highlights some comments about the future development and operation of the DSpace digital repository system. Key words: Open access, open source software, DSpace, digital library, preservation, institutional repository, digital repository, open archives.