C W Rensleigh: IMPLEMENTING AN ELECTRONIC THESES AND DISSERTATIONS (ETD) INITIATIVE WITHIN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION LIBRARIES
IMPLEMENTING AN ELECTRONIC THESES AND DISSERTATIONS (ETD) INITIATIVE WITHIN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT:
ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION LIBRARIES

C W Rensleigh

Department of Information Studies, Rand Afrikaans University

cr@bib.rau.ac.za

P.O. Box 524 Auckland Park, 2006 South Africa

general.rau.ac.za/infosci

Keywords:
Developing country, ETD Pilot Project, Issues, Challenges, Library Consortia

Abstract

The end of ’Apartheid‘ in 1994 left Higher Education in South Africa with an unfair divide with two distinct groups, the so-called Historically Disadvantage Institutions (HDIs) and the ones that benefited from the ideology. This divide is still visible after eight years of democracy. In the South Africa context the term ‘Higher Education‘ is predominately used to refer to learning that takes place in universities and technikons.

Numerous challenges like the depreciating currency (an effective devaluation of 73% in 2001), shrinking budgets, lack of IT infrastructure and skilled IT staff are making the implementation of ETD initiatives on an institutional level very difficult for these HDIs. Fortunately working together in consortia or being part of an international project like the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) makes it possible for these Historical Disadvantage Institutions to make their theses and dissertation available electronically.

There are currently five regional and one national Higher Education library consortia in South Africa:

the Gauteng and Environs Library Consortium (GAELIC) that was formed in 1996

the Cape Library Co-operative (CALICO) which was established in 1993

the Eastern Cape the South Eastern Academic Library System (SEALS) was established in 1988

the Free State Libraries and Information Consortium (FRELICO) was formed in 1996

the Eastern Seaboard Association of Libraries (ESAL) consortium in Kwazulu-Natal.

On 2 July 1999 at a meeting of representatives from these five regional Higher Education library consortia and other stakeholders, the Coalition of South African Library Consortia (COSALC) was established. The main operational and strategic focus of COSALC is at national level and is particularly committed to promote and support national co-operative initiatives.

This paper is based on a two year case study on the implementation of an Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) pilot project at the Rand Afrikaans University. Special reference is given to the criteria that impact on the implementation of these kinds of initiatives in the South African context.


Table of Contents

Front pageIMPLEMENTING AN ELECTRONIC THESES AND DISSERTATIONS (ETD) INITIATIVE WITHIN THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONTEXT: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION LIBRARIES
1 Introduction
2 The Rand Afrikaans University Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs) Initiative
2.1Academic considerations
2.2Administrative considerations
2.3Information Technological considerations
2.4Personnel implications
2.5Financial implications
3 The RAU ETD Pilot Project
4 Conclusion
Bibliography Bibliography


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