>
> From: "H.M. Gladney" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Cc: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: FW: ETDs are we rushing?
>
> >The question on my mind is how thorough the reply should be.  The
> >underlying question is how quickly institutions and individuals might
> >prudently move to "mainly digital", and I hope to have a careful
> >assessment for that when I finish work in progress--perhaps in six
> >months.
>
> >A good answer is complicated by the fact that Mr. Beaven makes what
> >seem to me several mistakes in his note, e.g., if people use Web
> >references in theses, that the theses are printed on paper will not
> >overcome the "404" errors.

 Ok, I guess I did merge two issues together.  I believe they should be
 included in the appendices and I believe we should get an electronic
 copy for access and a paper copy for the archives.

 The 404 error dealt more with the Universities archiving their web sites.

 While a problem that I have dealt on several different list/web servers,
 it is  clearly not one solved by simply printing the reference.  But the main
 issue here is not the 404 problem.  It is instead the problem of
 maintaining the ETDs through the coming decades.

 Without an archival paper, we must either commit ourselves to migrating
 all the  electronic the information we have with every quantum technological
 advancement or resigning ourselves to the eventual loss of the vast
 majority T/Ds.

> >For the moment, the simplest answer for Purdue might be go to ETDs and
> >have the library print an archival copy.  By copy of this note, I

 Note that the student will do the work here so that the library is not
 stuck footing the bill for a copy of every T/D deposited.

 Yes, I believe the best answer is to have all students submit both an
 electronic copy of their thesis/dissertation and a traditional a paper
 copy for archiving.

 This will allow us quick, immediate, and convenient access electronically
 while allowing us a standard format for future conversions to electronic
 access as technology advances.

> >remind Mr. Beaven that already today, the original form of almost all
> >documents is digital--something neither he nor anyone else has much
> >influence on.  The only question he really has is whether or not a
> >paper copy is saved.
>
> >But this much is simplistic.  I'll consider a more careful answer for
> >the listserv.
>
> >Cheerio,  Henry
>

Jim Beaven
Library Assistant Level V
Special Collections, Archives and Thesis Deposit
Purdue University