Microfilming of theses

In reply to Diane Lunde's query about microfilming theses, this Library
has a long history of microfilming PhD dissertations through the
arrangement utilized by many research libraries with UMI.  For many
years, however, the emphasis was on paper copies, with film copies being
given lesser attention throughout the Library.  However, some years ago
the growing bulk of the archival collection of theses and a shortage of
shelf space became major concerns and it was decided that film copies of
PhD dissertations would become the archival copies and a paper copy was
retained as a use copy.  Other copies were returned to the academic
departments in which the research had been done.  Some of these paper
copies find their way back into the Library as gifts of the academic
departments or of research advisors, other departments use these as a
means to accumulate departmental files of dissertations.

After several years there are no obvious problems resulting from this
arrangement.. During the same period, a process was developed to prepare
microfiche of the limited number of bachelor level theses produced each
year in certain academic departments.  These become part of the
collections of the Library and paper copies are not retained in the
Library.  Here, also, no obvious problems have been observed.

William T Henderson
Preservation Librarian
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 8:66
                 Distributed: Monday, February 20, 1995
                        Message Id: cdl-8-66-004
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