Reviewing the role of the Depot

As mentioned on page 1, project funding for the Depot comes to an end in 2009. We are inviting comments during March 2009 on its future role.

The Depot provides two functions in support of Open Access self-archiving, the so-called "Green OA". The first function, "redirection", links authors/researchers with their local institutional repository (IR), using identity recognition and the OpenDOAR registry of IRs. This assists potential depositors and helps IRs acquire content.

As yet, not all researchers have a local IR. So the second function, "deposit", the principal reason that JISC asked EDINA and SHERPA to set up the Depot as part of its Repository Programme, has been to provide a national place of deposit for academic authors lacking an appropriate IR. Both functions, redirection and deposit, are computer-aided and without mediation by library or other support staff – unlike many IRs.

The existing Depot service will be fully supported until at least 30 September 2009. During April 2009 or shortly thereafter we will decide what to do, based upon feedback from you and on any other developments, then use the following six months to enact an agreed plan. This might include re-branding or changing the mission and message, arranging the transfer of the limited content that we have in the Depot to some other repository, or even handing over the running of the Depot to another body.

The Depot was never planned as a central repository to rival institutional repositories; rather it has complemented them by assisting researchers do what may be required of them by mandate from their funders.

Preliminary discussions with advocates of OA self-archiving have indicated that there is value in continuing the Depot in order to assist OA sharing of research output not only in the UK but also internationally, especially where IR capacity is not yet comprehensive. There has also been discussion about how to develop the redirection capabilities more generally, including support of OA deposit mandates by funding bodies; for example, by advising their funded researchers to "Go to the Depot" to locate the appropriate IR.

We have been carrying out our own appraisal of options for the exit strategy beyond project funding. But we need to be positive that continuing the Depot will add value as a support activity for the open access agenda, or else consider when and how to close the Depot. Please give us your views.

Comments should be sent to edina@ed.ac.uk, marked "Role of the Depot".