ePrints@IISc: India’s first and fastest growing institutional repository

The purpose of this paper is to share NCSI’s experiences in using GNU EPrints.org software to create and maintain the open-access institutional repository of IISc, ePrints@IISc. Design/methodology/approach – The GNU EPrints.org is the first generic software for creating Open Access Initiative (OAI)-compliant repositories, which enables the researchers to self-archive their research publications thus facilitating open access to their publications. NCSI has been using this software since early 2002. Some amount of customization and value additions to the software are being done periodically by NCSI to meet the local requirements. In this paper, authors are sharing NCSI’s experiences in using GNU EPrints.org software. Findings – GNU EPrints.org software is an excellent tool for creating and maintaining OAI-compliant repositories. The best thing about it is that it can be set up easily even by those who are not too knowledgeable about computers. New features are being introduced on a regular basis. Also, the technical support for the software from the developers and the user community has been very encouraging. Originality/value – Outlines the work and history of the Indian Institute of Science and the development of the open access movement