Retrospective Conversion of Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

While many universities have been moving forward with their efforts to support the submission of ETDs, a smaller number have made attempts to mine the huge store of traditional print theses and dissertation by converting them to electronic format for improved access. These efforts are complementary to the submission of ETDs by students and provide access to a previously difficult to search and access body of knowledge. The retrospective conversion process can be difficult, and is not to be approached blindly. There are complicated issues such as content selection, outsourcing vs. in-house work, vendor selection, formats, processes and standards. Before moving ahead with such a project one should know what the issues are and have some sense of how one s institution and its projects will be affected by the decisions made along the way.