Workbook on Digital Private Papers > Introduction > Introduction to OAIS
Introduction to OAIS
OAIS in practice: Some examples
The OAIS concept of 'Designated Community' permits a diverse range of groups and institutions collecting digital records for their own purposes to use the model for their own needs. To date various sectors have employed the OAIS model. Below are a few of the more high profile digital initiatives based on OAIS concepts.
LOCKSS
The open source LOCKSS system (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe) developed by Stanford University Libraries is a good example of how the OAIS model can work in practice. Stanford's system works closely with publishers and enables participating libraries to own copies of the e-journals that they subscribe to as well as content published in open-access e-journals. Each library in the LOCKSS network hosts an inexpensive machine running LOCKSS software, which crawls the websites of e-journal publishers to collect content; by talking to LOCKSS machines at partner libraries, the software engages in a peer-to-peer audit that identifies and repairs any corrupted content using a voting system. LOCKSS only provides libraries with access to content that they have paid for, so it satisfies the needs of publishers.
Institutional repositories
Another common type of repository is the institutional repository, designed to store, manage and sometimes preserve digital assets of institutions. An increasing number of universities are establishing these as a means of managing the digital research output and administrative records generated by a university. Repositories for archival material could operate within the framework of an organisation's institutional repository, but as the area is currently dominated by the needs of academic outputs and the drive for Open Access, archivists need to take a lead in formulating infrastructures, policies and procedures that are appropriate to the requirements of potentially sensitive archival material.
E-theses
Electronic-theses repositories are another good example of an OAIS. A leading project in this area is the UK EThOS (Electronic Theses Online Service) project, which aims to develop a prototype online e-theses service, which will be easily scalable and financially sustainable.
Centralised repositories
There are also centralised, often discipline-oriented, research data repositories, such as those managed by the Arts and Humanities Data Service (AHDS).
