Ensuring access to theses in the Arab speaking world – University of Jordan initiatives

Date12 November 2018
Pages308-322
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-06-2018-0019
Published date12 November 2018
AuthorDina Tbaishat
Subject MatterLibrary & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology,Records management & preservation,Information repositories
Ensuring access to theses in the
Arab speaking world University
of Jordan initiatives
Dina Tbaishat
Library and Information Science, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Abstract
Purpose This paper aims to examine someof the digitization projects at the library of the Universityof
Jordan. As the library acts as the deposit centre for theses from the Arab world universities, an effective
management policy for deposit, management and access is required. The paper illustrates some of the
existingworkows and considers the challenges and possible improvements.
Design/methodology/approach Interviews (n= 8) with library staff in the Information Division
provided details about the methodsused for the collection and management of print and electronic theses in
the University of Jordan, in addition to some digitization projects. In addition, very recent unpublished
brochure was collectedfrom one member of staff in the computer applications and databases sectionto learn
about theses deposit statistics from various countries in the Arab world. A business process modelling
technique (Riva) (Ould, 2005) using role activity diagram illustrated some of the existing workows, the
challengesand possible improvements.
Findings Some Arab universities do not send theses on regular basis; some do not collaborate at all.
Workowsvary according to the format of the thesis. The number of digitized print theses has reached77,885
titles, out of total of 84,043, but it is a slowprocess. All newly submitted theses from Jordanian universities
come in print and on a CD, but other external institutions may use different methods (CD only by mail, or
direct uploading to the webpage provided by the University of Jordan). The current online system for
uploading theseswas last updated in 2017. Deposit rates through the system are very low. Access to theses is
relatively limited; print theses can be accessed within the library premises. The online theses repository
provides full text and all academic staff; students and researchers can access these from any workstation
within the university campus. Only registered users may access theses databases (read only) outside the
network. Resourcing for digitization is limited, and the digitization itself is currently outsourced although
other processesare done in-house.
Practical implications The paper encourages the use of a practicalonline thesesrepository to deposit
theses from the highereducation within the Arab world.
Social implications Establishing thesesrepository and ensuring proper and smoothdeposit process by
Arab universitieslibraries, would enhance communicationand collaboration amongst them.
Originality/value The paper supports the theme of the primacy of global access to information for
learning and scholarship.The paper adds value in the context of theses access amongst Arab universities. As
the library acts as the deposit centre for theses from the Arab world universities, an effectivemanagement
policy for deposit, management, access and preservation is required. The paper provides a set of
recommendationsthat would contribute to raise the visibility of research producedby Arab higher education,
through a singlesource of access to theses.
Keywords Academic libraries, Digitization, Theses, Digital collection preservation,
Theses repositories, University of Jordan
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
The past two decades have witnessed great growth in the number of informationresources.
As part of keeping up with the rapid changes in the information resources environment,
DLP
34,4
308
Received28 June 2018
Revised5 October 2018
8 October2018
Accepted8 October 2018
DigitalLibrary Perspectives
Vol.34 No. 4, 2018
pp. 308-322
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2059-5816
DOI 10.1108/DLP-06-2018-0019
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2059-5816.htm

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