Adoption of DSpace Software for the Development of Institutional Repository: Ajayi Crowther University Experience

Abstract

Academic institutions are increasingly recognising the importance of establishing robust repositories to preserve and disseminate their intellectual output. The paper report the success story of running the Institutional Repository of Ajayi Crowther University on the Dspace software. Going forward and going by the post implementation and utilization, it is expected that the repository will enhance research collaboration, access to scholarly publications and promote the research visibility of academics within and outside Ajayi Crowther University. The repository was focused on the preservation and making publicly available, the intellectual output of the university in order to support knowledge sharing among researchers as well as increase the web visibility of the institution. Issues that were considered during the take-off of the project included software selection, software customisation, technical architecture, networking, digital competence in the management of the repository, policy, and capacity building, among others.  The challenges faced during the implementation period were related to funding and electricity issues. The paper provides valuable insight into the transformative potentials of open-source technologies such as DSpace and also providing best practices guidelines for any universities considering the implementation of institutional repository with limited budget. The study concluded by proffering strategies and guidelines on best practices for installation and implementation of Institutional repositories by institutions who might want to flag theirs on meager and/or limited budget.