Maryland Shared Open Access Repository

MD-SOAR is a shared digital repository platform for twelve colleges and universities in Maryland. It is currently funded by the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions (USMAI) Library Consortium (usmai.org) and other participating partner institutions. MD-SOAR is jointly governed by all participating libraries, who have agreed to share policies and practices that are necessary and appropriate for the shared platform. Within this broad framework, each library provides customized repository services and collections that meet local institutional needs. Please follow the links below to learn more about each library's repository services and collections.

 

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Recent Submissions

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Well Crafted: Analyzing Greater Baltimore Craft Beer Labels; A Content Analysis and Label Design Project
(2025-05) Laumann, Matthew; Rhee, Megan; Keohane, Jennifer; University of Baltimore. Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences; University of Baltimore. Master of Fine Arts in Integrated Design
Witty names, pop culture references, vibrant colors, intricate illustrations, tasteful typography, whimsical copy—craft breweries have distinguished themselves in the beer market through creative packaging and label design. When it comes to craft beer, what’s on the can or bottle matters as much as what’s inside. Craft beer labels are more than just utilitarian packaging—they are miniature canvases for storytelling and design that reflect a brewery’s personality, tone, and regional identity. A strong sense of place is central to the craft beer industry, with breweries anchoring their brands to local names, landmarks, geography, people, and historical elements. This study conducts a content analysis of craft beer packaging from Baltimore-based breweries to examine how they visually represent Baltimore and communicate their regional identity.
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Performers discovering new music in the library: a survey and an action plan
Gibson, Christina Taylor; Zukowski, Adam; Deiner, Michael; Towson University. Albert S. Cook Library
Libraries contribute to a sustainable music practice ecosystem when they make new music scores more discoverable. Although composers rely on discoverability for their professional survival, libraries do a poor job of making their work available. Reducing friction in the contemporary composer-librarian relationship is difficult and will continue to be a problem requiring a multifaceted approach. Our study surveyed 139 self-identifying music performers on their preferences for discovering new music. Results indicate that many performing musicians do not even use a library to locate music. Based on survey responses, we recommend performer-friendly changes to cataloging schema, interfaces, and outreach.
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Preserving the Pulse: Using Design to Revive the Sounds and Story of Mento Music
(2025-05) Allen, Ashley-Kaye; Rhee, Megan; Keck, Renata; University of Baltimore. School of Communications Design.; University of Baltimore. Master of Fine Arts in Integrated Design.
Mento music—Jamaica’s first popular musical form—has long existed in the shadows of more globally recognized genres like reggae and dancehall. With its roots in African and European folk traditions, mento once served as a vibrant form of cultural storytelling. Yet, today it faces fading relevance amid generational shifts, media neglect, and a lack of accessible archival resources. This thesis explores how integrated digital design can serve as a powerful tool for cultural preservation, using mento music as a case study. Through historical research, user-centered design strategies, and the development of a prototype for an interactive website called The Mento Music Museum, this project demonstrates how multimedia storytelling and responsive technology can help revive cultural memory. Grounded in principles of accessibility, participation, and authenticity, the site aims to reintroduce mento to younger audiences while honoring its historical legacy. By designing with purpose and cultural sensitivity, this work offers a scalable model for preserving endangered art forms and re-centering overlooked cultural narratives in the digital age.
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Love, Wealth, and Swagger: How Cigarette Companies Used Visual Rhetoric to Target Black Americans
(2024-11) Bolster, Quinn; Creative Writing
Tobacco has been a public health concern for decades. In fact, it is the number one cause of preventable deaths in the United States (Wilkinson 1). Specifically, targeted tobacco advertisements have been a prominent issue, especially in the recent case of vapor nicotine products targeted towards adolescents. However, tobacco advertisements have been targeting specific demographics for decades. Tobacco companies have long targeted Black Americans with advertisements, retail discounts, and cultural cues, especially with mentholated cigarettes (Limbong 1). The disproportionate rate of menthol cigarette consumption among Black Americans has been researched in terms of the health risks, finding many health disparities associated with menthol cigarettes.
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Enhancing Worm Behavior Analysis through Software Optimization and Machine Learning
(2024) Mishuk, Mahade; Computer and Data Science; Biology