Institutional Repositories: Foundations, Functions, & Best Practices for AREN LNLs Training 2026 – Level 1

This is an introductory training presentation on the foundations, functions, and best practices of institutional repositories within open access and scholarly communication. It defines institutional repositories as digital archives used by universities and research institutions to collect, preserve, and share scholarly work openly, while emphasizing their role in increasing research visibility, preserving institutional knowledge, improving citation impact, and supporting compliance with funder mandates. The presentation also covers repository categories, common repository platforms such as DSpace and EPrints, metadata and digital preservation concepts, repository workflows, copyright and licensing issues including Creative Commons, and the importance of sustainable open-access infrastructure in Africa. It concludes by introducing FAIR data principles and encouraging discussion about repository challenges faced by institutions.