Purpose -In January 2002, the National Science Council of Taiwan launched a National Digital Archives Program (NDAP) and has proceeded with the implementation of a system related to the open archives initiative (OAI) framework. This paper aims to introduce the protocol and the prototype system of the project. Design/methodology/approach -A general review of the project. Findings -The OAI interoperability framework has received much attention from scholars of library and information sciences. In Europe and North America, many academic organizations and universities have undertaken theoretical studies, system design, and implementation of the OAI framework. In January 2002, the National Science Council of Taiwan launched a NDAP, and the institutional project of the National Taiwan University is one of its institutional projects. Now, the project has proceeded with the implementation of a system related to the OAI framework. Originality/value -Provides information of value to information professionals.