Frequently Asked Questions


What is Digital Commons?

Digital Commons serves as an institutional repository to collect and present Providence's research and other scholarly activity in one convenient, easily navigable location. Digital Commons aims to activate the voice of Providence and share our research accomplishments as a world-class research organization. Digital Commons is a service of System Library Services. You can learn more about Digital Commons here.

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Is Digital Commons available to the public?

Yes. Digital Commons is available to the public, not just to users on the Providence network.

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Are items in Digital Commons searchable in Google or other search engines?

Yes. Digital Commons is search engine optimized. Items deposited in Digital Commons will show up in Google or other search engines. Contributing to Digital Commons can help expand the audience for your research. Each item included in Digital Commons has a unique and permanent URL.

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Is Digital Commons searchable?

Yes. Digital Commons is full text searchable.

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What is included in Digital Commons?

Digital Commons includes the research output of PSJH, broadly defined. Examples of different types of content includes articles, books, book chapters, posters, abstracts, annual reports, conference proceedings, lecture series, datasets, and more. Digital Commons is flexible and we are interested in hearing about what you would like to contribute, even if there isn’t a current example in Digital Commons. Articles indexed in PubMed are included from 2018 forward and other items are included based on submissions from authors, clinical institutes, and departments. New material is constantly added to Digital Commons.

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Are all items full text?

No. Many journal articles are citation only, due to copyright. These articles will include a link out to the full text on the publisher’s website. If you are affiliated with Providence and do not have access to the full text, email librarian@providence.org to request the article.

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Who can submit content?

Current Providence employees and affiliates. We invite contributions from research, clinical, administrative, and all other Providence caregivers.

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How do I submit content?

Email the citation, file, or link to content to digitalcommons@providence.org. The Digital Asset Librarian will create the item in Digital Commons for you.

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Can I include files or multimedia with a submission?

Yes. Digital Commons can accommodate most file types. You may include multiple files with a submission.

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How does copyright work with Digital Commons?

Authors retain all copyright for items submitted to Digital Commons. If an author is contributing a full text item or file to Digital Commons it is with the understanding that the author is the copyright holder to the work. If an author does not own copyright, they are invited to send the citation of the work and the Digital Asset Librarian can create a citation level entry with a link out to the content. Currently, Digital Commons provides citation level entries with links to articles published in journals, with the exception of open access journals. If you have questions about copyright and the work you want to submit contact digitalcommons@providence.org.

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How do I report a copyright conflict?

If you think that you or your organization owns the copyright to a full text item in Digital Commons contact digitalcommons@providence.org. Library staff will respond to your request within five business days.

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What is Experts?

Providence Experts highlights individual researchers and caregivers at Providence. Library Services creates profiles for selected individuals and can also provide instruction to others who would like to create and manage their own profile. If you would like to create an Expert profile, contact digitalcommons@providence.org.

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What happens if an author is no longer affiliated with Providence?

Items will continue to be held in Digital Commons after an author leaves Providence.

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I have a question not answered in the FAQ or want to learn more about Digital Commons.

Email digitalcommons@providence.org.

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I would like to have a demo of Digital Commons for my department or in a meeting.

Library Services would be happy to present in person or virtually. Email digitalcommons@providence.org.

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