Australian Digital Theses Program

• Background:
• • initially funded by Australian Research Council - Research Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Program grant (ARC-RIEF)
  • initiative of 7 Australian Universities - The University of New South Wales [leader]; University of Melbourne; University of Queensland; University of Sydney; Australian National University; Curtin University of Technology; Griffith University - in association with Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL)
  • model developed during 1998-1999; opening up to all CAUL members in 2000
  • Australian model unique as its focus is on a collaborative approach in developing sustainable method for distributed input to form a central metadata database of digitised theses
• How does the ADT model work:
• • local institution uses ADT software to process theses in digital format. The theses are mounted on the institutions own server/s. The local institution can also integrate access to theses via local infrastructure, eg web catalogue, provide local search interface, etc..
  • the ADT software automatically generates DC metadata. This metadata is gathered on a regular basis into a central metadata repository/database. The metadata database is searchable using an Australian developed proprietary search engine, with links provided back to the local institution housing the digitised theses files
    
    

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• ADT model in practice:
• • digitising theses and making them available via the web is currently done on a voluntary basis; in essence, depositing a digital copy in addition to the traditional paper version
  • the ADT model is scalable, and sustainable as long as participants maintain enthusiasm and dedicate resources to the ideal
  • at some time in the future some institutions will inevitably move to full electronic submission only; at some point in the future too, this may lead to a comprehensive database of digitised versions of all Australian research theses
• The Benefits:
• • ready and easy access via the web to information contained in Australian research theses to the worldwide community
  • greater recognition by the international research community
  • greater access to a valuable but underutilised information resource
  • the whole Australian research community