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.
The following resources may also be helpful as you learn more about the DRS:
- 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.
- Terms of ParticipationInformation about how the DRS may be used is available in the Digital Repository Service Policies and Terms of Participation document
- Snell Library FAQFrequently asked questions about the DRS can be found in the Snell Library FAQ.
Quick Guide: User account

Once signed in, clicking the arrow to the right of your name will bring up a menu that includes options for viewing the files you've deposited and any sets you've created. If you are a Northeastern faculty or staff member, you will also see a link to your My Deposits Page. If you have multiple myNortheastern accounts, an option to manage your identities in the DRS will be available from this menu, as well. If you have access to any of the DRS batch loaders, and option to see those loaders will be listed, as well.

If you are a Northeastern faculty or staff member, you can click your name in the top right corner of the page to navigate to your My DRS page. On your My DRS page you will find links to your system-generated Smart Collections and space to create your own collections. You will also tabs for viewing all your deposited files, the communities you're attached to, and a link to the My Loaders page, if you have access to a batch loader.
Quick Guide: Uploading a file

Read and agree to the terms, select the file you want to upload, and select the appropriate proxy option, if prompted (not all users can act as a proxy, so this option will not be presented to all users).

Enter the title of your file, the date it was created, the names of the people or entities responsible for creating the file, a description for the file, and at least one keyword.

Select whether you would like the file to be public or private. If needed, select the name of the group who should be able to manage the files (or view, if the file is private).
Quick Guide: Creating collections

To create a new collection, navigate to the space where you would like the collection to live. If you want to create a new collection in your My DRS space, scroll to the bottom of the page and select "Create a new collection".
Quick guide: Searching and exploring

The main search box is located at the top right of every page in the DRS. Enter a keyword in this search box to search across all files and collections you can access in the DRS (be sure to sign in to search everything you have access to).

Search results will appear on the page in a list sorted by the default relevance. Results may be switched to a grid rather than list view. Results can be narrowed by clicking the "Limit your search" button.
Quick guide: Downloading and saving

Files may be downloaded locally or saved in a Set to be viewed later. Click the file type button next to the file information to download one file at a time.

To download multiple files, check the tick box next to the file information for each file you want to download.

Click the number next to your name in the top right corner of the page to see the queue of files you have selected for download.

You can edit the list, clear the list, choose to save the files in a Set, or download the all the files at once.

You may also save files in a Set. Click the "Save for later" button next to the download options to select the Set where you would like to save the file.

Select the Set where you would like to save the file, or remove the file from an existing set (marked in red).

You can also choose to save all files from a search page or from a collection browse page to a Set by clicking the "Save for later" button near the search options. Only 100 files may be added to a set at a time.
Quick guide: IPTC photograph loader

Step 1: Edit your files
- Open your files in your photo editing software of choice (Photoshop is used in this example)
- Open the IPTC metadata options (under "File Info" in the "File" menu for Photoshop)
- Add the appropriate information in the following fields:
- Creator: Add the photographer's name in the "Creator" field, enclosed in quotation marks (for example: "Aoun, Joseph")

Step 1: Edit your files (continued)
- Headline: Add the title of the photograph
- Description: Add a description of the photograph
- Keywords: Add as many keywords as you think are useful (only 1 keyword is required; 3-5 is recommended)
- Apply the new values to the file (click "Okay" and "Save" in Photoshop)

Step 2: Prepare your files for upload
- Select the files you would like to upload to a single collection in the DRS
- Right click on the files to compress them into a .zip file or compress them using zipping software of your choice

Step 3: Upload your files to the DRS
- Go to https://repository.library.northeastern.edu
- Sign in to the DRS
- Click the down arrow next to your name and select "My Loaders" from the dropdown menu
- Select the blue loader button on the left side of the page that corresponds to your department

Step 3: Upload your files to the DRS (continued)
- On the following page:
- Read and agree to the Terms of Service
- Choose the destination collection for the files
- Select the .zip file

Step 4: Verify your upload was successful
- You will receive an email when the load is complete
- You can review the load report by going to https://repository.library.northeastern.edu/my_loaders and clicking "View Report" for your most recent load
- Rows highlighted in green indicate the file was uploaded successfully
- Click "View" to view the uploaded file
- Rows highlighted in yellow indicate the metadata for the file was modified to replace certain characters
- Click "View IPTC" to view metadata values
- Rows highlighted in red indicate the system encountered an error and could not process the file.
- The error will display in the "File Status" column
- Click the "View IPTC" button to the specific value that prevented the file from being uploaded
- Rows highlighted in green indicate the file was uploaded successfully