Digital Repository Service
The Digital Repository Service (DRS) was developed by Northeastern University Library as a tool for University faculty and staff to protect the valuable information and data that has been created as part of the University’s research and instructional mission.
Anyone is welcome to use the DRS to discover publicly available content, like theses and dissertations or the University Archives and Special Collections Digital Collections. Members of the Northeastern community are encouraged to sign in to access additional content that is not available to the general public, like photographs from the Office of Marketing and Communications or certain research materials.
- DRS User GuideThe DRS User Guide contains helpful information about various DRS functions, like downloading and uploading files, as well as information about how the DRS operates, like how communities and collections are structured.
- DRS FAQFrequently asked questions about the DRS
DRS Quick Facts
- 428,331 files
- 2,794 communities and collections
- 12,069 Northeastern faculty, staff, and student users
- DRS files have been viewed, downloaded and streamed more than 10 million times
- Approximately 2,000 daily unique visitors
- Approximately 3,500 file views, downloads, and streams per day
Counts are accurate as of October 1, 2024.
Selecting a repository for deposit
The DRS can accept most datasets under a 1TB, and will accept any file type, which makes it a suitable home for many research outputs. But, the DRS may not be the best place for you to store the data! Other professionals in your discipline or subject area may have a preferred repository that is better suited to the data produced by your research. Check out Fairsharing to find data repositories in your discipline, or contact your subject librarian for help finding the right repository for you.
Consider a few factors when selecting a repository for deposit:
- Longevity: How sustainable is the repository? How long will it hold the data?
- Audience: where do others in your discipline go to find data?
- Requirements: Does the system impose limits or restrictions on accepted file types? What is the maximum size allowed for each file? What metadata is required?
Depositing Data
Whether you're depositing data for publishing or grant requirements, or just want to make the output of your research available to your colleagues, depositing data in a repository or digital archive will ensure your research will be discoverable and usable for a long time. This guide will review some factors to keep in mind when preparing the data for deposit in the Digital Repository Service, or elsewhere.
- Managing Your DataYou may also find this guide from Northeastern University Library's Research Data Services helpful.
- How to make your scientific data accessible, discoverable and usefulAn article in Nature with seven tips for effectively sharing your data.
- How do I organize my data in a digital repository? (recording)The content in this guide was also presented as part of the library's fall 2020 Bite-Sized webinar series.
Getting help with the DRS
Northeastern University Library offers a variety of services to help users get started with the DRS, including documentation, consultations, trainings, workshops, and general guidance.
Use the DRS contact form or contact Library-Repository-Team[@]northeastern.edu to start a new project, ask questions about files or features, get help with an issue, or to set up a training or general consultation.
For More Information
For more information about the Digital Repository Service (DRS), including best practices for selecting and preparing files for deposit, visit our Research Subject Guide.