Automating the importation of a historic scientific serial into a digital repository

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to describe the transition of a collection in Texas A&M University's institutional repository from single item submission to batch importation as a primary method of ingest. This transition was made possible with assistance and technical work on behalf of the library. Design/methodology/approach -The digital initiatives staff examined the workflow of the collection's manager and submitters. A process was created to produce the necessary data structures for batch import from resources that were already being generated by the collection workflow. Findings -It was found that batch importing assistance provided by the library improved the collection's growth rate and efficiency without interrupting the workflow of the collection management team. Practical implications -This paper demonstrates the benefit of libraries and other institutional repository hosts offering batch-loading assistance to managers of large repository collections. Originality/value -This paper should resonate with institutional repository managers and digital services librarians, as many have neglected to offer batch importing or other assistance to users citing a lack of resources.