This poster will discuss the role of Manara - Qatar Research Repository, a multi-institutional model platform provided by Qatar National Library (QNL). It serves as a national Open Access (OA) repository aggregator and institutional repository, designed to publish and share research outputs from Qatar-based institutions. Manara supports academic publishers, government organizations, non-profits, research institutions, and enterprises, advancing open science, knowledge dissemination, and the re-use of research outputs. OA repositories play a crucial role in the scholarly, academic, and research processes by enhancing accessibility, discoverability, findability, and the impact of research studies.
Powered by Figshare for Institutions, Manara is a research data and sharing platform developed by Digital Science. Researchers can store, manage, and showcase various outputs, including conventional (journal contributions, reports, presentations, 3D models) and non-conventional (datasets, processes, workflows, software, and tools) research outputs. Integrated tools like Dimensions and Altmetrics provide insights into research impact and engagement. Manara also integrates with DataCite for DOI assignment, ensuring better data citation and discoverability, and Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) for author attribution and long-term bibliographic tracking.
The Figshare platform provides an interface that accurately displays statistics of ingested data and allows administrators to generate user and system reports. A key feature of Manara is its digital preservation service, ensuring the long-term accessibility, integrity, and usability of OA research content. Since launching in November 2022, over 150 researchers have registered, publishing more than 8,000 items, with journal contributions being the most common type.
To enhance discoverability, Manara’s published contributions are organized into dedicated groups on the Institutions page. In 2024, in collaboration with Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Manara introduced support for publishing Ph.D. theses and Masters and Bachelors dissertations. Further data stewardship developments will encourage registered users to publish more preprints, research laboratory data, and fully developed datasets, to support research collaboration, innovation, and new discoveries.
Presenters
Alenka Blatnik, Digital Collections Administrator, Qatar National Library
Alenka Blatnik is an engineer of graphic technology obtained from the University of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering. Prior to joining Qatar National Library (QNL), she was employed by the National and University Library of Slovenia in the Library Research Center, where she was dedicated to library digitization and the development of an ebook of electronic publications. At QNL she has been involved in establishing digitization processes and workflows. Currently she serves as Digital Collections Administrator within the Digital Collections Department - Digital Curation, Preservation and Access Unit, where she contributes to digital preservation initiatives, the structure of the Manara research and metadata curation.
Ya'qub Ebrahim, Digital Curation Librarian, Qatar National Library
Ya’qub is a Digital Curation Librarian in the Digital Collections Department at Qatar National Library. He specializes in creating digital workflows, streamlining digital processes and supporting researchers and scholars in accessing, preserving and utilizing digital resources. His work focuses on enhancing the accessibility and sustainability of Qatar’s cultural heritage through innovative technologies and collaborative projects. Additionally, he provides expertise in metadata management, digital preservation strategies and training library staff on best practices for handling digital assets. With five years of experience working at a university, Ya’qub has also supported research and promoted open science.
Jennifer Zamora Cantor, Open Access Program Senior Administrator, Qatar National Library
Jennifer holds dual degrees in Political Science and History, as well as a master’s degree in Education, all from a leading university in Colombia. She is currently working on the Manara repository at Qatar National Library, with a focus on research curation, data organization, and the depositing and publishing of academic and non-traditional resources produced by researchers based in Qatar.