IR Partner FAQ

What are the benefits of creating an institutional repository (IR)?

Creating and contributing to an institutional repository: 

  • Greatly increases the visibility and findability of those materials through online search engines.  Using a centralized repository means more researchers can find (three times as many downloads compared to traditional library databases) and cite the scholarly work ( work cited in subsequent publications will double), providing the institution with a wider audience.
  • Provides institutional recognition.
  • Allows scholars to retain intellectual property rights.
  • Creates a context for creative and scholarly work that happens within an institution 
  • Creates a permanent digital archive, including unpublished works such as conference presentations and white papers.
  • Assures a stable online location for assets that can be cited now and in the future.
  • Complements existing print and electronic sources in a specific discipline 
  • Provides unlimited space for data, audio, video, and other formats.
  • Contributes to the Open Access movement, which seeks to share scholarship in a free collegial, global environment. 

What materials are appropriate for the WHDL?

The work should be scholarly or archival in nature.  Because deposits are intended to be permanent contributions to the WHDL, ephemeral and “in-progress” works should not be submitted. Each institution will need to create and submit a collection development policy for their IR.

Examples of eligible materials:

  • Journal articles and essays
  • Conference proceedings, papers, presentations
  • White papers, technical reports, research reports
  • Dissertations, theses, undergraduate honors papers
  • Creative works (e.g., art works, music compositions)
  • News items meant for permanent archiving

What file formats are acceptable?

Adobe's PDF format is the preferred one for documents for WHDL. Additional document formats for eReaders (.mobi, .epub, etc) can also be added. Editable document types like .doc(x) and .rtf are also allowed. Please keep the documents to 125 MB in size or smaller. The WHDL Development team will provide assistance in this area. 

Can creative file formats, such as sound clips and data sets, be included?

Yes. The WHDL Development Team will assist in all uploading and migration of digital content.

What rights are granted to the WHDL when work is deposited in the repository?

Individual authors retain their copyright. The WHDL Development Team will assist IR’s in specific aspects of this process. 

If work has been published in a journal and the copyright status is unknown, can that work still be deposited?

In the past, publishers required that authors give the ownership (copyright) of the paper to the publisher in return for publication. With the growth of the open access movement, many publishers are being more flexible in their copyright contract bargaining with authors, particularly allowing republication in the author’s institutional repository. It is the IR’s responsibility to check the details of the contract with the publisher to verify that there is permission to upload your work to the WHDL.

Can items be withdrawn from the WHDL?

The Wesleyan-Holiness Digital Library has been established as a permanent repository to provide ongoing persistent access to all deposited items. However, it may be necessary under some circumstances to withdraw items from the repository. Reasons for withdrawal could include copyright violation, factual inaccuracy, or plagiarism. Requests for withdrawal can be initiated by any external or internal entity. All withdrawal requests must be submitted using the contact form here.

Does WHDL restrict access to scholarly work?

No. WHDL is committed to providing free access to all users.


Are you interested in starting the process or finding out more?

Send an email to WHDLibrary@nazarene.org. We look forward to partnering with you!