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Dear all, Here at Manchester Metropolitan University, we are currently in the process of setting up our institutional repository. At this moment, we have yet to populate the repository, and have yet to establish the best ways in which to get content for the repository and at the same time raising awareness of the service. Among the strategies currently considered for this task are speaking to research directors (either face-to-face or via e-mail), contacting academics that have published widely, producing publicity and publishing articles in university publications/newsletters, and being present at departmental meetings, to speak directly about the repository and answer any questions/concerns. Of course, doing all this does not guarantee content, and we have discovered that although many academics are willing and interested, actually getting hold of the content is another matter entirely. We have yet to establish whether or not we are going to offer a mediated service or are going to encourage self-archiving. Reasons for not getting the content include fears of copyright infringement and misunderstanding of the issues; I rather suspect that some may feel whatever they have to do to contribute will take up too much time. How have other repositories gone about a) raising awareness of the repository and b) having raised awareness, getting content for submission into the repository? Have you encountered any problems with trying to promote a service still very much in its infancy and with little (or no) content? Have you found that the more content you have, the more willing others are to deposit? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks. Sarah Kaufman ------------------------------------------------------------- Sarah Kaufman Assistant Librarian Electronic Services Development Team/e-space Manchester Metropolitan University Minshull House 47 - 49 Chorlton Street Manchester M1 3FY (0161) 247 6115 (ESDT) (0161) 247 6677 (e-space) [log in to unmask] http://www.mmu.ac.uk/library ----------------------------------------------------------- Before acting on this email or opening any attachments you should read the Manchester Metropolitan University's email disclaimer available on its website http://www.mmu.ac.uk/emaildisclaimer