University Institutional Repository and its Place in the University Information Infrastructure

Abstract

University repositories are no isolated archives. They provide significant added value to the existing university information infrastructure, and its integration within the university information system is essential. The Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) systematically builds its repository and integrates it within various subsystems of the university information system. It provides mutual advantage. The repository uses existing data and in return it enriches the information infrastructure of the university with the archiving tool and its content. This paper discusses technical and process solution to the interconnection of university repository (DSpace platform) with individual subsystems of the university information system, and the design of the optimized data flow and data management between the entities/components involved. The intention is to optimize the university data workflow – multiple uses of data (which have once been entered by various subsystems of the information system) to automatically manage repository structure and create its content without the need of frequent manual intervention. The article introduces the interconnection of individual components, subsystems and processes related to the university institutional repository, and describes the role of individual item and data flow in the process.