Chapter 4 summary

Software packages

Which software package is used for the digital repository? The main results are:

• – The top two of the most frequently used software packages are GNU Eprints (24%) and DSpace (20%).

• – Locally developed software packages are also frequently used (17%).

• – The OPUS software package is also quite frequently used (10.5%), but its usage is mainly restricted to Germany.

• – 14 other software packages were mentioned by the respondents.

In total 17 different software packages have been mentioned, while 19 respondents reported a locally developed software package. This means that digital repositories in the European Union use at least 18 and probably more than 30 different software packages.

Persistent identifiers

Is a persistent identifier assigned to each document? According to the respondents, it appears that approximately 75% of the digital repositories have a persistent identifier, while 15% do not have a persistent identifier. Eleven per cent answered with “don't know”. Several experts in the field have commented on these results: they think some respondents have misinterpreted the question, as they believe that the percentage of repositories with a persistent identifier in place will be much lower in reality.

Long-term availability

Is the long-term availability of the materials in the repositories secured? It appears that nearly 73% of the digital repositories do have the longterm availability of their materials secured while 16% do not. About 11% of the respondents answered this question with “don't know”.

From the comments of the respondents it appears that (1) a number of digital repositories try to guarantee the long-term availability by internal procedures, (2) a number of digital repositories have delegated the long-term availability issue to their national libraries (the national libraries of Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden are specifically mentioned) and 3) a number of digital repositories plan to act on this issue in the near future.

Statistical data on access and usage

Are statistical data on access to the repository and usage of the materials logged? It appears that the majority of the digital repositories (70%) does log the statistical data on access to the repository and the usage of the materials; 22% do not and 8% of the respondents answered this question with “don't know”.