U.S. Repository Network: Moving from Vision to Action

Abstract

The U.S. Repository Network is an initiative of SPARC with support from the Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR). In its “Modernizing the Global Repository Network Initiative,” COAR identified the need for assistance in breaking down institutional silos and developing a more cohesive approach and greater collaboration around repositories in the U.S. Through a Visiting Program Officer, SPARC engaged an expert group of library/repository professionals as well as the broader U.S. repository community to develop a strategic vision for U.S. repositories. The strategic vision is “an interoperable network of repositories is an essential component of our national research infrastructure, offering rapid and open access to research, and plays a crucial role in collective efforts to transform global research communications, leading to a more open, inclusive, and equitable system.” This strategic vision and its complimentary foundational characteristics guide the U.S. Repository Network (USRN) Action Plan, which is structured to advance the vision and to ensure the ongoing engagement and sustainability of the network. The presenter will briefly describe the vision development process, review the strategic vision itself, and discuss the current status of the action plan. The USRN is intended to be inclusive of all U.S. repositories, and the presenter will also discuss potential avenues for future engagement.