Leigh Stork

1. If you’ve got it, flaunt it:
Repository improvements to
increase discoverability, visibility
and usability
Dr Leigh Stork
Open Access & Research Repository Specialist

2. Current set up
AURA Aston Research
Explorer
Aston Publications Explorer
Aston Data Explorer
Eprints
(2008-2016)
Pure
(2012- )
Pure
Eprints
(2017- )

3. • A repository with thousands of empty and orphan records
• Almost no pick up from Google Scholar & other services
• Low engagement from internal users
• Low engagement from external users
First steps:
– Review workflows, policies and repository
– Identify knowledge and skills gaps
– Set goals and timescales
– Implement local changes immediately
– Form relationships to implement external changes
The problem

4. • Cleaning, weeding and de-duplicating
• Adding full text where possible using Unpaywall, CORE Discovery & Sherpa
• ORCIDs via Pure connector
• Sorting out Google Scholar
- Change in repository URL to http://publications.aston.ac.uk/id/eprint/39148/
Discoverability
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
ORCID Use Over Time
# of ORCiDs # of items with ids
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
May June July Aug Sept
Google Scholar Results

5. • CORE Recommender plugin installed
• Links between data repository and publications repository
• Library catalogue includes items in repository
• Tweeting recently deposited outputs
Visibility

6. • Updated OA policy and repository re-use licence
• More inclusive approach
• Cosmetic changes
Usability

7. • It is a tedious and time consuming task
• You risk opening a can of worms
• You end up learning a lot about how things (don’t) work
Lessons learned

8. • REF audit requirements
• Accessibility
• Plan S
• Long-term preservation
• Engagement with non-academic departments
Future work

9. Questions?
l.stork@aston.ac.uk