I spent Friday at Leicester University at the meeting of UKCORR (UK Council of Research Repositories). Presentations about Journal ToCs, SHERPA ROMEO, CADAIR among others were all very interesting but it was even more useful to discuss issues with other people in same position as us. REF, implications of mandate and, especially, eTheses seem to be common concerns to everyone. Most repositories seem to be heavily dependent on library skills, and the more deposits are mandated, the heavier the burden of review becomes. A copyright workshop at the end of the day was an excellent forum in which to compare policies and workflows.
The fabulously hard-working Gareth Johnson twittered and blogged the proceedings as well as forgoing his lunch to give us a guided tour of the David Wilson Library. It’s wonderful to see what 32 million pounds looks like. I particularly liked the ‘help zone’, and the information screens which give computer availability throughout the building as well as streaming local news and weather alongside library news!
Thanks to Leicester and Northampton for their joint hospitality, and to the officers of UKCORR which has no budget so runs on goodwill; luckily there doesn’t seem to be a shortage of this.
As always, if you are curious about the repository, please ask me!
Bev!
