Upgrades to Texas State Institutional Repository provide new features

The Texas State University Libraries are excited to announce a significant upgrade to our institutional repository, the Research and Scholarship Repository. Our repository utilizes DSpace, one of the most widely used open-source repository platforms. The recent migration from DSpace version 6 to DSpace version 7 represents a notable enhancement with several key improvements. DSpace 7 is the largest release in the history of DSpace with a completely different front and back end from previous versions.

Here are some of the improvements in DSpace 7:

  • Fresh User Interface: DSpace 7 introduces a new user interface based on the Angular framework, enhancing usability and accessibility.
  • Improved Integration: A refactored and enhanced REST API simplifies integrations with other systems.
  • Simplified Submissions: Enjoy the convenience of drag-and-drop file uploads, alongside streamlined submission and workflow processes.
  • Enhanced Accessibility: Our commitment to accessibility is reinforced, ensuring that the repository is more user-friendly to a broader audience.
  • Language Customization: DSpace 7 offers the flexibility to customize the interface language.
  • Administrative Advancements: Expanded options are available in DSpace 7 for repository and community administrators, providing more control and customization.
  • Image Viewing: With IIIF support, viewing images is much more useful to users.

To assist you in making the most of these upgrades, we’ve created documentation for the Research and Scholarship Repository, including a step-by-step tutorial for item uploads and an updated Quick Submit Form option. Additionally, we will be offering virtual and in-person training sessions this spring at our San Marcos and Round Rock campuses to help users navigate and utilize the improved Research and Scholarship Repository more effectively.

Explore Our Repository: Discover the wealth of scholarly content in our repository, including faculty scholarship, student capstones, theses, and dissertations, conference proceedings, posters, and more. The Research and Scholarship Repository continues to be a valuable resource for academic research, now made even more accessible and user-friendly with DSpace 7.

 

This article was contributed by Laura Waugh, Associate University Librarian for Digital Scholarship & Research.