The Case For Interoperability For Open Access Repositories

Abstract

Open Access repositories, whose number has been steadily rising, are an important component of the global e Research infrastructure. The real value of repositories lies in the potential to interconnect them to create a network of repositories, a network that can provide unified access to research outputs and be (re-) used by machines and researchers. However, in order to achieve this potential, we need interoperability. The purpose of this paper is to provide a high-level overview of interoperability of Open Access repositories, identify the major issues and challenges that need to be addressed, stimulate the engagement of the repository community and launch a process that will lead to the establishment of a COAR roadmap for repository interoperability.

Open Access and Interoperability

“Open Access‟ refers to the practice of granting free access to research outputs via the Internet – free of charge and free of most licensing restrictions. Generally the goals for Open Access are to: increase access, visibility, and impact of research results; promote the progress and efficiency of science and spark innovation by using technology to further disseminate research and allow scholarship and research data to be mined, used and reused; and maximize the return of investment in science by making publicly-funded research freely and publicly available.