How do I submit a work?
Works should be submitted electronically via email or removable media. Along with submission, please submit a copy of the permission form which can be obtained from the Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository Manager. The goal is to enable departments, centers, and other campus communities to post their own content; however, until a complete process is developed, the Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository Manager will coordinate submissions. See the Contact Us link on the homepage for contact information.
What kinds of works can be submitted?
University community members are encouraged to contribute works such as articles and books, presentations, conference proceedings, creative activities, media, theses, performance recordings, and archival records of the university.
Can I post sound clips, multimedia projects, images, and other media?
Yes, as long as you are the rights owner or have permission from the owner to post the work.
Can a work be removed from the Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository?
Generally, no. Works submitted serve as a permanent record of the university’s creative and scholarly output.
Can a previously submitted work be modified or updated?
Often yes, but we recommend keeping all versions posted rather than removing previous iterations.
Who owns the copyright of works in the Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository?
Inclusion in the Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository does not alter the copyright status of a work. Copyright is held by the original authors/creators or the publisher if rights were transferred.
May I use items from Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository?
You are free to download, save, and print materials found here for your own use. However, you should not re-publish, re-post, or redistribute materials without the permission of the author. Linking to resources is always permitted
For more information about Copyright and Fair Use, please consult:
University System of Georgia Copyright Policy
United States Copyright Office
My work was published previously. May I contribute it to the Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository?
In many cases, yes. First, determine whether you signed exclusive or non-exclusive rights with the publisher. If you have an exclusive contract with your publisher, you must request permission to place the work in the Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository. Here is a template for writing to your publisher. To learn more about publishers' policies and digital commons see SHERPA-RoMEO (Rights Metadata for Open Archiving).
Before you sign exclusive contracts in the future, be aware that many publishers accept the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) Addendum to Publication Agreement, which allows you to keep your author rights. Contact us if you would like to learn more.
My work has not yet been published formally. May I contribute it to the Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository?
Absolutely. We recommend using a Creative Commons license to make your work available to others under your terms.
If I submit a work, will I continue to own the copyright?
Authors maintain full copyright to works posted in the Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository. University of North Georgia claims no ownership over the content but maintains a non-exclusive right to make the materials accessible for non-commercial use. This non-exclusive right does not interfere with the copyright holders' rights or ability to reuse content.
How can I learn more about the Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository?
Contact us! See the Contact Us link on the homepage for contact information.
Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository is part of a network of open-access digital repositories. The contents of more than 1,300 of these repositories may be accessed from OpenDOAR (the Directory of Open Access Repositories): http://www.opendoar.org/search.php. The Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) is also a good resource for information about the rationale for institutional repositories. Specifically, "The Case for Institutional Repositories: A SPARC Position Paper" argues their value within an academic institution.
Who do I contact for assistance?
Contact the Nighthawks Open Institutional Repository. Contact information is provided at the Contact Us link on the homepage.