Forming Unique Relationships Across Campus: Launching a New Repository at a Healthcare University

The Frank Ritchel Ames Memorial Library launched Rocky Vista University’s first Institutional Repository in 2025. The Repository (Elevate’) was the result of a cross-department collaboration between the Library and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. The Library administers the Repository and oversees the preservation of scholarly and creative works. The Office of Institutional Effectiveness (with guidance from the Library) maintains a collection within the Repository that houses the University’s Policies.

Background:
The Library was approached by the University President in 2023 to investigate bringing an IR to the University. Shortly thereafter, the Library formed the Institutional Repositories Steering Committee to review current best practices, benefits, and IR platforms. The committee was composed of stakeholders with vested interests in scholarly research and institutional effectiveness. Through conversations with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, we learned that University Leadership was dissatisfied with the current Policy Repository. The Library was able to identify ways that a new IR platform would result in a better user experience for our community. Furthermore, since providing access to policies in ab institutions is a requirement for accreditation, the Library was able to make a strong case to justify investing in a new repository
platform. The Library and Office of Institutional Effectiveness partnered to share our budgetary resources and sign a multi-year contract with TIND IR in April. The Library announced the soft launch of Elevate in May for Policies and officially started accepting scholarly work in September.

The presentation will cover:

• Forming and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders
• Migrating Policies
• Maintaining the Policy Repository Collection
• Outreach and training