Coming late to the game: how to create a totally integrated (!) repository system

This paper recounts the experiences and lessons learned in developing a repository system from scratch, using Eprints and Symplectic Elements, at City University London. The system is called City Research Online (CRO). Contrary to the title, the system created is not “totally integrated” (in fact far from it!). However the author was able to draw upon experiences learned in his previous role as Repository Manager at LSE, as well as those from the broader repository community, to implement automation of processes and systems integration. These lessons were implemented in light of the fact that City was relatively late in setting up its repository, and benefited from lessons learnt by other institutions. The paper details the set-up at City; explains how decisions made on the set-up were informed by past lessons; and examines the level of integration judged by a number of different criteria.