Islandora

Self-Hosted

Open-source institutional repository and digital library platform for preserving cultural heritage

Overview

Islandora is an open-source institutional repository and digital library platform for cultural heritage institutions. Built on Fedora Commons, Drupal, and Solr, it enables curation, preservation, and dissemination of digital collections (texts, images, audio, video). Features include metadata management (MODS, Dublin Core), access control, versioning, and preservation tools integration. Deployable via Docker for simplified setup or custom configurations, it supports long-term asset management for libraries, museums, and archives.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  islandora:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: islandora
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Metadata management with standard schema support (MODS, Dublin Core)
Long-term digital preservation via Fedora Commons and PREMIS integration
Access control and role-based permissions for institutional curation

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Islandora hard to install?

Islandora offers Docker-based deployment via the Islandora Playbook, simplifying setup for basic use cases. Custom installations (tailored to institutional needs) require familiarity with Drupal, Fedora Commons, and Solr, making it more complex for non-technical users.

? Is it a good alternative to proprietary institutional repository tools?

Yes—Islandora provides comparable features like metadata management, preservation, and access control without subscription fees. Its open-source nature allows institutions to customize workflows, making it ideal for those needing flexibility unavailable in proprietary solutions.

? Is Islandora completely free?

Yes—Islandora is open-source software released under permissive licenses (MIT for core components). There are no licensing fees, though institutions may incur costs for hosting, maintenance, and technical support from third-party providers.

Top Alternatives

Elsevier Digital Commons Search Google

ScholarOne Repository Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Document Management - Institutional Repository and Digital Library Software

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused self-hosted solution for institutional data control
⊕ Highly customizable via open-source codebase and modular architecture
⊕ Integrates with industry-standard tools (Drupal, Solr, Fedora Commons)

Cons

⊖ Steep learning curve due to complex multi-component architecture
⊖ Requires ongoing maintenance of underlying services (Drupal, Solr, Fedora)
⊖ Custom deployments need expertise in open-source stack technologies