Building an Institutional Research Repository from the Ground Up: The ARROW Experience

Andrew Treloar, Project Manager, Strategic Information Initiatives, Information Technology Services & ARROW Technical Architect & Adjunct Librarian, Monash University Library. Building 3A, Monash University, Victoria, 3800. Email: Andrew.Treloar@its.monash.edu.au

Keywords

Institutional repository, information infrastructure, information management, technical architecture.

Abstract

This paper describes the thinking behind the technical architecture for ARROW - Australian Research Repositories Online to the World (a DEST-funded project under the Research Information Infrastructure Framework for Australian Higher Education). The paper begins by describing the vacant lot - the context in which the project came about. It then moves on to the design brief for the architect - the list of requirements. Next comes the resulting architectural drawings - the broad model and list of functions. In order to turn a blueprint into reality, one needs building materials - in this case the pieces of software required. Finally the paper discusses the state of the building site, and when the 'house' might be open to its first visitors.