The AESOP Digital Archive: building institutional memory

Abstract

This article traces the development of the AESOP Digital Archive from its initial conception to its establishment as a structured and continuously growing institutional repository. It describes the transition from the Open Preprint Server to DSpace, the organisation of the Archive into communities and collections reflecting AESOP’s activities, and the collection and deposit of born-digital materials from institutional websites, personal archives, and external repositories. Particular attention is given to the digitisation of printed and low-quality archival materials, including file optimisation and Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which improve their accessibility, searchability, and long-term preservation. The article highlights the importance of cooperation, community engagement, technical support, and sustained commitment in building the Archive. It concludes by positioning the AESOP Digital Archive as an evolving form of institutional memory and heritage, with the potential for greater integration into the wider open science and scholarly communication ecosystem.