The NRGL software solution

The basic elements of the NRGL software solution comprise CDS Invenio for the NRGL digital repository and the FAST ESP indexing and search system for the NRGL central search interface. The same solution architecture has been successfully run in the Swiss CERN for several years. Individual activities and cooperation of the digital repository in CDS Invenio and the FAST EST indexing and search system are depicted in the figure.

Diagram software solutions NRGL

NRGL central search interface in the FAST system
The NRGL central search interface is aimed to create an integrating search platform of grey literature repositories. This integrating function is ensured by the ESP FAST indexing and search system, which provides a secure, relevant and scalable search in linked repositories. This solution should allow users to access the data from both the digital repository and the selected grey literature repositories in a single interactive environment. The search is primarily performed according to navigations including document types, authors, keywords, linked bases and also timeline.

NRGL digital repository in the CDS Invenio system
CDS Invenio belongs to Open Source software. It may be freely installed, used and modified, which enables its setup for storing grey literature and its distribution among partner organizations. In 2010 the system was debugged on the basis of continuous testing of system operation, introduction of data into the system and harvesting data from partner repositories. Some system modification also stemmed from the collaboration with the institutes of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (AS CR), AS CR Library, University of Economics in Prague, Charles University in Prague and OpenSIGLE. The CDS Invenio system was modified in all parts, from the format structure over templates, and setup of collections to the search setup, etc. At the same time, the digital repository was designed graphically, it was fully localized into Czech language and the record search was adjusted.

The partner organizations may use CDS Invenio for local repositories or they may enter the digital documents directly into the NRGL digital repository. Detailed information on this topic may be found in the section How to collaborate.

Selection process
The software solution for the NRGL project was selected on the basis of a public tender that took place in 2009. The software functionality requirements were defined in such a way as to include the requirements necessary for pilot implementation of the system as well as to help choose a modern, well-supported technology with good developmental prospects.

Software functionality requirements may be found in the attached document.

The preparation for the selection of the software solution included an analysis of selected Open Source software for digital libraries. The following Open Source software was analyzed: DSpace, Fedora, CDS Invenio, Eprint, and Greenstone.

The results of the analysis may be found in the attached document.

Metadata

The project solution comprised the preparation of the metadata format tailored for the needs of NRGL. The NRGL format had to fulfill basic requirements, i. e., simplicity, minimum mandatory fields and compliance with the Dublin Core metadata standard. Further information on the metadata format may be found here.

Identifiers

The primary purpose of digital archives is to store digital information and make it accessible. Persistent identifiers ensure the permanent access to digital documents. Here, persistence of the identifier means the permanence of identification irrespective of the permanence of the identified document. Therefore, it is important that the source marked by a persistent identifier is never relocated or liquidated unless the information on its location is updated in the persistent identification registry. The solution concerning the use of persistent identifiers is described here.

Audit

A regular audit of the NRGL as a trustworthy digital repository has been performed since 2009 to ensure the long-term proper functioning of the repository. For this aim, the tool and methodology called Digital Repository Audit Method Based on Risk Assessment (DRAMBORA) is used. The output of the audit is a mapped repository and its relevant environment together with the identified risks, on the basis of which the action plan is built. The action plan is aimed to eliminate or moderate the impact of individual risks on the NRGL operation. More information on the audit and the audit itself may be found here.