INSTITUTIONAL REPOSITORIES, OPEN ACCESS AND COPYRIGHT

Abstract:  The current study examines the scope of open access in Institutional Repositories (IRs). The findings indicate that the implementation of copyright limitations in institutional repositories has a substantial effect on faculty involvement since a convoluted network of copyright regulations impedes their participation. This study emphasizes the pivotal role of librarians in assisting faculty members with copyright licenses and brings attention to a discrepancy in copyright comprehension between instructors and students. The analysis of repository regulations reveals challenges in implementing open access through Institutional Repositories (IRs), providing practical suggestions for businesses contemplating IR adoption. The research of the ROAR database reveals that more than 66% of repositories are classified as open, indicating a high frequency of open access. Access limitations exhibit variability, with 29% employing "hybrid" methods, whereas a mere 3% enforce complete limits. The study also examines the way in which repositories provide copyright and submission information, finding that 78% of them give both, while 19% do not provide any details. Furthermore, the findings suggest that 80% of repositories lack a documented policy for user rights, which contradicts the premise of unrestricted access. This study establishes a basis for future investigation and strategic activities aimed at improving the efficiency of repositories in promoting open access. The findings emphasize the dynamic characteristics of repositories and the urgent need for extensive copyright education and assistance in academic institution.