Perspectives on Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper provides three perspectives on electronic theses and dissertations: the student's, the faculty member's, and the librarian's. These might also be described as immediate, near term, and long term perspectives. While this paper describes largely recent events, it also draws on the 12 year history of the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD). ETDs, electronic theses and dissertations, have been required at Virginia Tech since January 1, 1997 but they were a topic of discussion since ten years prior. A surprise to some, a revelation to others, but it is a fact of life now for students, faculty, and the library. As a result, we have gathered a body of information, factual and anecdotal, that describes the impact of ETDs on many cultures both within and outside the academy. This paper presents the VT ETD initiative from these perspectives.Includes : Conference preprint, Pratt student commentaryXAInternationa