Co-creating open initiatives at De La Salle University Libraries: The Animo Repository experience

The launch of the Animo Repository in 2020 marked a significant advancement in De La Salle University Libraries’ open access initiatives. The Animo Repository functions as the central archive for the university's scholarly outputs, including faculty research, electronic theses and dissertations, special collections and university journal publications. Beyond serving as the central repository for De La Salle University’s scholarly outputs, the platform's robust hosting and publishing infrastructure is designed to optimize the discoverability and accessibility of these records. The primary focus of this study is to examine the collaboration between De La Salle University Libraries’ and De La Salle University Publishing House in utilizing the Animo Repository for open access journal publishing. It distinguishes between hosting and publishing roles, explores the integration process, and evaluates the initial outcomes and impacts. The study contributes to the growing literature on open library publishing and institutional repositories, emphasizing more equitable research access and dissemination practices.