Contents
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Background
There are currently over 900 DSpace instances in over 80 different countries with a variety of use cases. While there are many helpful resources available to the community, barriers due to geography and language can make it challenging for new or potential DSpace users to connect with the DSpace community.
Program Goal
The main focus of a DSpace Ambassador Program is to identify a DSpace user in every country or region who is willing to volunteer to be a point of contact for organizations just getting started. These Ambassadors will help new or potential users with general questions about DSpace as well as providing guidance on additional resources available in the larger DSpace community.
Ambassador Activities
DSpace Ambassadors will be identified by country/region on the dspace.org website, they will also be listed in the welcome letter that goes out to new users in the community. New or potential users can contact the Ambassadors with questions. While the Ambassador is not intended to be a technical expert, they should be able to guide individuals in the right direction for more technical questions (DSpace manual, website references, wiki, mailing lists, etc.). Ideally the Ambassador will also help to identify resources, such as new helpful references or new service providers in their country or region. Some Ambassadors may also be involved in planning regional DSpace user group meetings or trainings. Ambassadors can also leverage their efforts along with other networks, associations and groups that may already exist in their region/country. DuraSpace and the DSpace Global Outreach Committee will work closely with the DSpace Ambassadors to ensure they can be successful in their role.
Ambassador Qualifications
The Ambassador role is primarily those serving as a repository manager/administrator at their organization, although anyone with DSpace knowledge and experience is eligible.
Ambassador Tools
The DSpace Ambassador Tool Kit available for Ambassadors that provides useful references. There is also a DSpace Ambassadors mailing list.
Acknowledgments
The success of any open-source project lies with the community voluntarily contributing its collective energy, information, enthusiasm, and effort. Similar to the role of DSpace Code Contributors and Committers, the Ambassador role is a contribution to the DSpace community. Although the role is unpaid, upon request DuraSpace will offer a letter of acknowledgment to Ambassadors recognizing their contribution and expertise as well as and thanking them for their collaboration with other organizations/academic institutions and DuraSpace.
Term
The Ambassador role is one year and can be extended upon mutual agreement. It is anticipated the time commitment will be a few hours a month.
Countries/Regions
If you are interested in volunteering to serve as an Ambassador for the countries/regions below, please contact Valorie Hollister at valatdspace.org.
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China: Zhu Zhongming <zzm\[DSPACE:at\]lzb.ac.cn> from the Lanzhou Branch Library of National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences |
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Costa Rica: Rolando Coto <rolandocoto\[DSPACE:at\]gmail.com> from the University of Costa Rica |
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