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Fedora

Lyrasis
United States
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About

Launched: 2001
Record Updated: Apr 18, 2024
Repository software
Fedora is an open source repository system used for the management and dissemination of digital content. It is especially suited for digital libraries and archives and can be used for both access and preservation. Offering flexibility and extensibility for digital preservation needs, Fedora repositories can be used to provide access to a wide range of digital collections with varying sizes and complexities.

Mission

Lyrasis is the Fedora program's organization home, and as such the mission of the program aligns with that of Lyrasis, which is "Lyrasis catalyzes and enables equitable access to the world's knowledge and cultural heritage." https://www.lyrasis.org/about/Pages/Strategic-Plan.aspx

Key Achievements

  1. Fedora 6.0 was released in June 2020 and represented the largest major rewrite of the core code since Fedora 4 was released in 2014. Fedora 6.0 saw the elimination of ModeShape as a backend, and the introduction of the Oxford Common File Layout (OCFL) as a preservation standard within the persistence layer. This change returned Fedora to its digital preservation-focused roots, giving users back the transparency and functionality they were used to from previous versions. Fedora 6.x adoption rates are steadily climbing, and feedback from users indicates it is robust and performant.
  2. In 2020, Fedora was awarded an IMLS Grant (Fedora Migration Paths & Tools: A Pilot Project) to support development of tooling and documentation to help users migrate from Fedora 3.x to Fedora 6.x. Fedora 3 is one of the most widely used versions of the software that exists, but it is end of life, and the continued reliance on this outdated software puts the security, functionality and reliability of those repositories at risk. The grant effort created a migration pathway to help navigate the migration process in an effort to protect the content contained within those repositories. Coupled with the tooling, a Migration Toolkit was published, providing step-by-step instructions, templates, user stories, and best practices gathered from the grant pilot partners. This toolkit is maintained on the Fedora wiki here.
  3. Fedora has a globally installed user base and recently has taken action to ensure broader representation at decision-making levels of program governance. Through intentional outreach and engagement with partners and users outside of North America, the Fedora program has grown its global geographical representation on Governance, and non-North American members now make up nearly 30% of the group. Our continued work to connect with more diverse users has resulted in significant growth in our community communication channels with over 100 new members being added to these channels in the last year.

Technical Attributes

Open Code Repository

Implemented
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Maintenance Status

Actively maintained

Technical Documentation

Implemented
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Open Product Roadmap

In Progress
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Open API

Implemented
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Content Licensing

Documentation is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Standards Employed

REST, Linked Data Platform (LDP), Memento, Solid, WebAC, OCFL, Activity Streams 2.0

Hosting Options & Service Providers

Hosting Strategy

Hosting through third party only

What other tools and projects does your project interact with?

With a community published REST API, Fedora is able to integrate with many other technologies. Most common are the integrations between the Samvera Repository Infrastructures and Islandora front-end systems. Fedora also offers integration with Apache Camel to offer the Camel Toolbox.

Community Engagement

Code of Conduct

Implemented
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Community Engagement

Implemented

Contribution Guidelines or Fora

Implemented
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Organizational Commitment to Community Engagement

Fedora maintains active engagement of its community members through the following activities:
  • Weekly open tech meetings to foster technical conversations, provide support and discuss development objectives
  • Maintenance of a community Slack with designated channels for targeted discussion
  • Monthly newsletter to keep the community informed on current initiatives, priorities and opportunities to engage
  • Annual virtual conference-style event to bring users together to showcase and discuss current work
https://wiki.lyrasis.org/display/FF/Fedora+Repository+Home

Engagement with Values Frameworks

Currently investigating POSI (Principles for Open Scholarly Infrastructure).

User Contribution Pathways

  • Contribute funds
  • Contribute to code
  • Contribute to documentation
  • Contribute to education or training
  • Contribute to working groups or interest groups

Policies & Governance

Governance Summary

Fedora is community-owned, community-supported and community-governed. The Fedora Governance Group is responsible for the strategic leadership of the Fedora Program, its community, and associated technology. This group is responsible for leading the overall Vision & Strategy. Governance details can be found here: https://fedora.lyrasis.org/governance/

Policies

Bylaws

Implemented
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Commitment to Equity & Inclusion

Implemented
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Privacy Policy

Implemented
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Governance Activities

Implemented
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Governance Structure & Processes

Implemented
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Transparent Pricing and Cost Expectations

Implemented
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Additional Information

Organizational History

Originally conceptualized in 1997 as a repository architecture at Cornell University, FEDORA (Flexible, Extensive, Digital Object Repository Architecture) was first implemented at the University of Virginia as a prototype digital library system. From there, interest in the architecture’s application grew and in 2007 the non-profit organization Fedora Commons was established with funds received from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. In 2009, DSpace Foundation and Fedora Commons joined together in a merger under the organizational name DuraSpace. And in 2019, Lyrasis and DuraSpace merged organizations and Fedora was added to an expanded portfolio of programs under the DuraSpace Community Supported Programs Division.

Organizational Structure

Business or Ownership Model

Non-profit organization

Full-time Staff

1.5

Funding

Primary Funding Source

Other

Funding Needs

Fedora is funded entirely by membership contributions from institutions. This funding supports program staff who work to develop, teach, engage and support all active Fedora users. Membership represents the only source of unrestricted income for program initiatives and is the only method for which the program can continue to provide essential support for staff and operations. Without membership income, the program’s sustainability would be at risk, along with the preservation of the vital content contained within the repositories of our users.
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