[PADG:1172] Hardcopy and/or digital theses & dissertations?

["Grant, Tyra" <tgrant@xxxxxx>]

I'm seeking information about ETDs (electronic theses & dissertations): 

1) Does your institution have ETDs? 

 

2) If yes, does your library maintain:

 

1)    Digital versions only? 

        If yes, how are these being archived?

 

2)    Digital versions archived by vendor (who promises they can produce film or hardcopy reprint at any time)?

 

3)    Digital versions and hardcopy (kept by the library or university archive)?

 

 

University of Kansas does #2 but I wonder if we should do #3 because theses and dissertations represent a primary product of KU as an academic institution so we therefore have a unique and primary responsibility for their preservation.   I feel we could be taking a risk we cannot afford, especially when the cost of creating and managing hardcopies would probably not be high.

 

How do others manage archiving etd's?  Are there other thoughts on this topic (or maybe I've missed some key discussions or meetings)?

 

Thanks,

Tyra Grant

Head, Preservation Department

University of Kansas Libraries

phone: 785-864-8951