Maintenance and development of the Digital Library technological infrastructure

The University of Padua supports Open Science

The University of Padua embraces the principles of Open Access to publications and research data, and the valorization of cultural heritage, which are among the pillars of Open Science. In particular, in the University Statute, Art. 56, it is stated that:

• The University embraces the principles of full and open access to scientific literature and promotes the free dissemination online of the results of research produced at the University to ensure the widest possible dissemination.

• The University sets the discipline aimed at implementing the principles of full and open access to scientific research data and products, encouraging their deposit in the institutional archive and communication to the public, in compliance with the laws concerning intellectual property, confidentiality, and protection of personal data, as well as the protection, access, and enhancement of cultural heritage.

To implement these principles, the University Library System makes available to the academic community suitable repositories for the management of digital objects and research data: Phaidra and Research Data Unipd.

The University Library System is also active in promoting training, professional development, and participation in meetings and conferences of the dedicated staff, thereby ensuring adequate professionalism, knowledge, and experience in the management of digital repositories.

Maintenance and development of the Digital Library technological infrastructure

The Regulation of the University Library System (ITA) (Chapter V, Articles 10, 11, 12) highlights the financial resources made available by the University for the development and maintenance of the technological and service infrastructure of the Digital Library, of which the institutional repositories Phaidra and Research Data Unipd are parts.

Thanks to these financial resources, the Library System can guarantee a medium-term financing plan, at least until 2025, for the maintenance and development of the complex of physical structures, human and financial resources, and services intended to support the digital repositories created for the conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage, for the management and archiving of research products and data.

Long-term digital preservation

The Phaidra and Research Data Unipd repositories guarantee long-term preservation and access to their data and metadata.

Technologies for the preservation of digital objects evolve and develop over time. The Library System, through its Digital Library, organizes and makes its electronic and digital resources accessible through services with the most advanced standards, and is committed to preserving the data and metadata stored in its repositories to the best of its ability, making them accessible and usable over time.

The strategic activities to support the maintenance of digital content are aligned with the regulation of the Library System, namely the preservation, updating and use of the bibliographic and documentary heritage and access to scientific information through the development of its Digital Library (Regulation of the University Library System, Chapter I, Art. 1, Paragraphs 1 and 2).

The strategies and actions for digital preservation apply to the creation, integrity, and maintenance of content.
The main actions pursued by the University Library System for the long-term preservation of digital collections are:

• Development and maintenance of digital archives for the long-term preservation of digital objects
• Management of different file formats and metadata
• Implementation of robust processes and automated mechanisms to ensure effective management and preservation of content
• Continuous and reliable access to the content of digital objects for the reference community

Find out more about Digital Preservation at the University Library System