The US Repository Network (USRN), in collaboration with the Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR), is embarking on a groundbreaking pilot project to enhance the discoverability of content in repositories across the United States. This initiative gains added significance in light of the recent memorandum from the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), emphasizing the need for free, immediate, and equitable access to federally funded research.
The one-year pilot project, aimed at addressing the evolving landscape of open access and research dissemination, involves 18 repositories representing diverse institutions, software types, and repository models. The project will leverage services from CORE, a not-for-profit aggregator based at Open University in the UK, and will receive additional technical support from Antleaf Ltd.
The primary objective of the project is to evaluate and improve local repository practices, enhancing both machine and human discoverability of research articles within US repositories. The participating repositories will serve as a representative sample, allowing for the development of concrete recommendations and best practice guidelines. The project is anticipated to contribute to the broader international interoperability of US research outputs.
SPARC, the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition, initiated the USRN with support from COAR. The network aims to unite the repository community, foster collaboration, and promote the adoption of best practices. With the OSTP Memorandum emphasizing the crucial role of repositories in providing immediate public access to research articles, the USRN's pilot project aligns with the imperative to streamline and enhance the discoverability of valuable research outputs.
The project's outcomes are expected to pave the way for improved visibility and accessibility of research articles housed in US repositories, fostering a more robust and interconnected scholarly communication ecosystem.
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