Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an Institutional Repository?
- What types of materials can be deposited?
- Who can access the materials in the Digital Commons?
- What is the Digital Commons Network?
- How is content organized within the repository?
- Can authors track readership?
- Can submissions be revised or updated?
- What happens if a deposit needs to be removed?
What is an Institutional Repository?
An institutional repository is an open-access database that showcases and preserves faculty and student scholarship.
What types of materials can be deposited?
The Digital Commons at St. Mary’s University accepts a wide variety of scholarly works from both students and faculty. Examples include working papers, pre-prints, book chapters, abstracts, open-access manuscripts, open educational resources (OER) such as tools and textbooks, posters, presentations, and more.
Who can access the materials in the Digital Commons?
The Digital Commons is open access, meaning it is available to anyone worldwide. Materials are frequently accessed through direct links shared by depositors, as well as through search engines like Google, Google Scholar, and AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude.
What is the Digital Commons Network?
Once deposited, works are included in the Digital Commons Network, a global open-access database featuring scholarship from over 700 institutions. The network provides access to more than 5 million works from over 200 countries.
How is content organized within the repository?
Content in the Digital Commons is structured by series, which are grouped into broader communities. To request the creation of a new series or collection, please complete this form.
Can authors track readership?
Yes, authors who include an email address with their submission will receive periodic readership updates. Additional data on deposits or collections can be requested from library staff at any time. Major collections on the academic side receive annual collection updates each December.
Can submissions be revised or updated?
Revisions and updates are managed by library staff, with minor exceptions for specific collections.
What happens if a deposit needs to be removed?
If a deposit violates copyright, contains errors, or otherwise needs to be removed, please contact one of the Institutional Repository managers:
- Elizabeth Goode – Academic Collections: egoode@stmarytx.edu
- Stacy Fowler – Law School Repository: sfowler@stmarytx.edu