E-Thesis in the E-Thesis Unit in the Central Library to AlMustansiriya University: Case Study

Abstract

The current research aims at exploring the level of human, technical, and organizational resources available for managing the electronic collection of university theses and dissertations, measuring the user satisfaction with its services, and revealing the challenges hindering the development of advanced services. It utilizes the methodology of case study and employs questionnaires, observation, interviews, and daily statistical records. The most important results are:

1.                 Insufficient financial support has been allocated to support and develop the electronic theses and dissertations unit in terms of equipping it with modern devices, equipment, software, and other supplies, and a shortage of trained and specialized staff.

2.                 The database available on the university website is limited to bibliographic data without providing abstracts and full texts, in addition to slow updates, which delays the publication of new theses and dissertations.

However,  the most important recommendations are:

1.Providing a fixed annual budget for the unit to equip it with the latest devices and software and  develop the digital services infrastructure.

2.Making abstracts and full texts of university theses and dissertations available on the university website, taking into account legal considerations, activating smart search functionality using keywords, and updating the database continuously and immediately after each defense discussion of students.

The importance of the research lies in light of current developments, as it is a tangible contribution to the knowledge output in the field of information and libraries, as it deals with a vital topic, which is university theses and dissertations, as they are one of the basic pillars of knowledge output in academic institutions. The importance of the research also stems from the practical aspect, in the possibility of the concerned parties in the central library benefiting from its results and recommendations in improving the procedures and policies related to the management, preservation and access of electronic university theses and dissertations. In addition, it represents the voice of the beneficiaries through their experience and highlighting the challenges they face when accessing and benefiting from these resources, which contributes to completing the knowledge structure of this field.