An archive of scholarly publishing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Abstract

This paper details the research into, design of, and implementation of a computer system built to archive scholarly publishing completed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and within other institutions of higher learning. The archive will provide a central, stable repository for researchers looking for permanent housing for their published work. The Web interface to the system provides easy means of collaboration among researchers within a single institution through simple searching on relevant categories. The database will also provide an easy mechanism for creation and maintenance of an academic curriculum vitae for its users as well as a forum for relevant feedback on the content. Fundamentally, however, the system has another purpose: to increase the libraries' role as knowledge-keepers over commercial journals which would like to maintain that position at a cost to both researchers and libraries. This system serves both to attempt to change a status quo which is rather undesirable, especially in the face of recent legislative decisions, and to show that technological systems are viable mechanisms for change of social establishment.