NAL has been planning and implementing a large scale repository for electronic items. NAL has in place a small electronic repository application (NALDR) containing a few digitized USDA titles including the Yearbook of Agriculture. Concurrently with NALDR, the planning began to create an Electronic Repository of Agricultural Literature (ERAL) of much larger scale and scope. This process has involved a vigorous pilot project involving scientists and laboratories within USDA. The ERAL will include: ? digitized USDA publications, ? peer reviewed articles authored by USDA scientists, ? scholarly presentations by USDA scientists.
The process has involved: ? examining available commercial and open-source applications, ? reviewing metadata standards and linkages to existing systems, ? determination of the copyright and intellectual property issues ? enlisting the participation of the USDA scientists ? developing the logistical support for depositing new works ? integrating with AGRICOLA for search, discovery, and dissemination This presentation reviews the procedure of the feasibility study and the experience of our pilot efforts.