OCLC Systems & Services

Purpose – This paper aims to clarify the relationship between researcher, digital librarian, and cataloger supporting collection building in institutional repository (IR). It also aims to propose modeling the collaborative process and outline why and how cooperative partnership is important throughout the IR content building process. The study seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge of IR collection building by including a faculty-centered approach and level of data curation aspects than is normally found in IR content building literature.

Design/methodology/approach – The paper opted for an experimental approach of IR collection building, including several interviews and one expert group discussion with faculty representing the department of anthropology. The data were complemented by digital collection description and accessibility in IR, online public access catalog (OPAC) and OCLC WorldCat.

Findings – The paper provides empirical insights about how faculty contribution is brought about during IR content building. It suggests that digital librarians act as “integrating forces” on two levels: integrating the elements of level of data curation for digital objects representation and discoverability, and mediating between digital objects description and the researcher.

Research limitations/implications – Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack general application. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test proposed propositions further.

Practical implications – The paper includes implications for the development of a mature and fully realized IR, the development of “data curators” and for managing the balance between participation and content.

Originality/value – This paper fulfills an identified need to study how levels of data curation can be enabled.