ETD on a shoestring
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-08-2013-0076 |
| Pages | 259-270 |
| Published date | 03 June 2014 |
| Date | 03 June 2014 |
| Author | Gabor Feuer |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries |
ETD on a shoestring
Gabor Feuer
The Library, University of Ontario Institute of Technology,
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe how, with minimal budget, lots of goodwill, and
successful collaboration, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) – at the time
Ontario’s newest university, could rapidly build an ETD collection.
Design/methodology/approach – The project was sponsored by the UOIT library. DSpace was
selected as the software platform. The paper describes the collaboration between the library,
the faculty of graduate studies and the campus information technology dep artment which resulted
in the successful launch of the ETD program, Ontario’s first example of establishing a born digital
theses program and publishing platform.
Findings – Innovative and risk-taking approaches combined with intra- and inter-organizational
collaboration were the key factors contributing to success of the library ETD project.
Originality/value – This case study emphasizes the value of entrepreneurial thinking. Other organizations
can learn from the pitfalls and benefits encountered during the implementat ion of this project.
Keywords Project management, Collaboration, Institutional repositories,
Electronic theses and dissertations, Librar y entrepreneurism, UOIT
Paper type Case study
Introduction
This case study is not based on any formal theoretical framework. The c losest parallels
to any theoretical foundations are found in the general principles of Web 2.0
and in broader ideals of entrepreneurism. The paper is not about any particularly
innovative technological solutions or planning. It does, however, demonstrate the role
of vision, and willingness to take risks in bringing the ETD to reality. The system
was put in production in early 2008, at the time when the idea of Web 2.0 started
making headways into libraries. As defined by O’Reilly (2005), the principles of
Web 2.0are understood best as a new approach, a framework for software characterized
by openness, and user centered philosophy. This definition of Web 2.0 emphasized
lightweight user interfaces and the willingness to embrace change, or in other words
accepting a state of “the perpetual beta”. While this may se em as an anathema to core
library principles and mission such as preservation, it was one of the driving forces
behind the thinking to push forward with this project at University of Ontario Institute
of Technology (UOIT) – a new academic institution where the need for an institutional
repository (IR) had not even be en anticipated. The approach taken was guided by
values similar to the “start-up thinking” described in library entrepreneurism artic les
(Mathews, 2012a, b). Among others, Mathews cites the main characteristics of this
philosophy: accepting constant change, building a platfor m, having an action bias,
and forming a culture. The UOIT library project fits in the same framewo rk, by using
these tactical approaches: starting early, accepting failure, being iterative, picking its
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
Received 27 August 2013
Accepted 6 September 2013
Library Management
Vol. 35 No.4/5, 2014
pp. 259-270
rEmeraldGroup Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-08-2013-0076
An earlier version of thi s paper was presen ted at the 16th Inter national Symp osium on
Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD), in Hong Kong, on 23-26 September 2013, http://
lib.hku.hk/etd2013/
259
ETD on a
shoestring
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