In summer 2007, we ended the history of collecting print senior theses, instead, senior students at Washington College submitted their electronic copies to Miller Library. This is a big change for both students and faculty. However, this change also incites their creation and my passion to make them online searchable as soon as I can.
We have a great team at Miller Library, we convert various files to PDF firstly. Then I start to create the information architecture on DSpace to hold all kinds of digital objects. Creating metadata for theses is a long process, but also very crucial for users to be able to search the collection online. It is a big challenge for me to validate keywords assigned by author for every single paper, especially without auto-indexing tool, but the process itself is full of fun!
Now you can search SCE collection by author, title, subject and keyword. Professors can demonstrate students with actual theses on DSpace in the class and share their analysis. DSpace is becoming a virtual community for students to conduct interactive learning and research. Is that mazing that technology is changing the world every second?
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