The digital archive EMU DSpace collects, maintains, and provides access to the research outputs created by members of the Estonian University of Life Sciences or related to the responsibilities of the Estonian University of Life Sciences subject areas to support the competitiveness of the university and the development of a knowledge-based society.

The digital archive is managed by the Library of the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

 

1. Data summary

The digital archive EMU DSpace runs and maintains publications and data from members of the Estonian University of Life Sciences. The repository is open to all researchers related to the Estonian University of Life Sciences to deposit their publications and data sets.

The archive hosts content that it preserves but does not own any intellectual property rights over it. Access to the EMU DSpace content is provided through the user interface (https://dspace.emu.ee/) for all interested users.

Software. EMU DSpace is powered by the DSpace version 7.6.1 platform.

Content. EMU DSpace stores files of research publications and research datasets, along with accompanying metadata. The metadata is stored in Dublin Core format, and the publication and data files are in formats chosen by the persons depositing them (all file formats are accepted). The total size of the data stored in EMU Dspace is not limited.

 Users. EMU DSpace is openly available for download and re-use with no restrictions or embargo if there are no other licenses with restrictions or closed access. EMU DSpace does not track, collect, or retain personal information from users, except as otherwise provided in the digital archive. EMU DSpace collects, stores, and analyzes non-personal information about its users, such as IP addresses, cookies and log files.

The data that populate EMU DSpace may be of interest to everyone interested in research outputs.

 

2. FAIR data

 2.1. Findable data. Access to EMU DSpace content is provided through the user interface and through standard APIs (Application Programming Interface). EMU DSpace mints (produce for the first time) DOIs via DataCite for deposited research outputs and thus metadata is also discoverable through DataCite's APIs. If a publication or dataset has been assigned a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), the data will not be removed from the repository, and the assigned DOI will remain publicly accessible. The metadata is discoverable thanks to the standardized metadata export format DublinCore.

2.2. Accessible data. The metadata for all records in EMU DSpace are available for downloading and reuse without restrictions or embargoes. The decision regarding the accessibility of publications and datasets (open, closed, restricted, or with an embargoed access period) is made by their depositor. Depending on the decision, the file is either equipped with a usage license or restricted. Publications and datasets subject to an embargo period will have their embargo end date specified. After the embargo period expires, the publication or dataset automatically becomes publicly accessible. Closed or restricted publications and datasets require the author's permission for access.

2.3. Interoperable data. The metadata of records in EMU DSpace are described in the Dublin Core format and are interoperable through the OAI-PMH (Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting) for the collection of metadata records. Collaboration with metadata for publications and research data assigned with DOIs is also possible through the DataCite API. Publications and datasets are available in widely recognized formats, and their interoperability is ensured by the EMU Library.

2.4. Re-usable data. The metadata of EMU DSpace records can be downloaded and used without any restrictions. Depending on the depositors' decisions, publications and datasets are licensed under Creative Commons or other licenses that specify usage conditions. Since all intellectual property rights belong to the data creators, EMU DSpace must respect these rights as a data repository.

 

3. Resources and responsibilities

EMU DSpace is managed by the Estonian University of Life Sciences Library, based on the Copyright Act and the Procedure for intellectual property created at the Estonian University of Life Sciences. The administrator of EMU DSpace is responsible for the content of the digital archive, data maintenance and curation, and the functioning of the software. Additionally, the Estonian University of Life Sciences Library is responsible for the long-term preservation of data in the repository throughout its lifespan. The technical infrastructure of the digital archive is managed by the university's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department. EMU DSpace is open to members of the Estonian University of Life Sciences for the free deposit and accessibility of their publications and data collections.

 

4. Data security

The preservation and backup of data stored in EMU DSpace is ensured by EMU DSpace's security policy. Stored files are kept on secure RAID6 disk arrays on the servers at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, and server management utilizes the VMware vSphere virtualization environment. Backups are performed daily as a complete virtual machine backup. Additionally, a long-term backup copy is made to tape storage once a week, which is retained for one year. The backup server with tape storage is physically separate from the main server, located at a different location. Security updates are installed regularly in accordance with ICT department procedural rules. When installing security updates, a testing environment is used first, followed by updating the main server.

The management of data preservation, backup, and restoration is overseen by the university's ICT department.

Access control is strictly monitored by the Estonian University of Life Sciences Library. Software updates are procured through subcontracting with the maintenance contract partner who has signed a cooperation agreement with the Estonian University of Life Sciences Library.

 

5. Ethical and legal aspects

Ethical and legal issues are tackled in the following way. Legally, it is on the side of the data providers - who register their services (e.g., data or publication repositories, journals) to ensure that the transfer of metadata records from their services does not violate intellectual property rights. The administrator of EMU DSpace assumes that data providers grant permission to make datasets publicly accessible by licensing them under Creative Commons or other licenses that specify usage conditions.