Taking the Temperature of Health Sciences IRs: A Survey and Analysis of Medical Schools’ Institutional Repositories

Abstract

Background: The proposal authors are health sciences librarians from three different medical schools who are conducting a survey of institutional repositories (IRs) in medical libraries and academic health centers. This presentation will highlight survey findings, identify challenges of sustaining open repositories for the health sciences community, and pinpoint trends in the medical and non-medical IR landscape. Problem: The purpose of the authors’ research study is to establish a snapshot view of the institutional repository landscape specific to medical schools and academic health centers. We hope to gain a deeper understanding of the role, characteristics, and future plans of IRs in this setting, and share these findings with the wider repository community. Approach: We submitted a 21-question REDCap survey to the member libraries of the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL). AAHSL was chosen as the survey group because its member libraries serve the accredited U.S. and Canadian medical schools belonging to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The survey opened on December 7, 2017, with data collection to continue through January 8, 2018. Conclusions: Results will be analyzed in early 2018 and findings will be highlighted in this presentation.