Qatar National Library Launches Manara, a New Research Repository for Qatar

Abstract

Qatar National Library (QNL) has launched Manara - a new research repository for Qatar-based researchers to deposit their research from traditional academic outputs such as journal contributions and book chapters to non-traditional outputs such as datasets and conference posters. The new service is managed by QNL and co-funded by Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), the main research funding agency in Qatar. Manara aligns with the Library's mission to capture the nation's heritage and create a trusted information environment. QNL hopes that Manara will capture and preserve all research output created in Qatar, including research that would not previously have a "home" online. The poster will demonstrate how open licensing in Manara supports QNL's efforts to develop and advocate for open access research in Qatar and supports the global flow of information and unrestricted access to information – both critical in achieving UN SDG goals. Moreover, the poster gives an overview of the repository's features, highlights developments so far, and gives an overview of expected collaborations such as supporting research data archiving, linking the repository with QNL's open access fund, and plans for community outreach to allow individual researchers to preserve and share their research with global audiences.