University’s intellectual output - timesofmalta.com

"I refer to the letter Hide And Seek At University (September 24). It should be noted that the University Library is currently setting up an Institutional Repository so as to preserve and disseminate the intellectual output of the University through open access. The institutional repository will include outstanding research dissertations once the authors give their consent. All dissertations submitted by University of Malta (UoM) students in full or part fulfilment of their degrees are available for consultation. A good number of these dissertations are available at the library. However, due to space restrictions, the library is unable to house all dissertations pertaining to all faculties, institutes and centres. For this reason, those dissertations which are unavailable at the library are made available for consultation by the respective faculties. In line with most overseas universities, the UoM Library’s policy is that print dissertations can be accessed internally within the library premises. Moreover, due to copyright issues, users have the facility to photocopy (using self-service machines) a limited number of pages from a dissertation. Reproduction of complete dissertations can only be carried out where a letter of consent is provided by the author of the dissertation. Claim is being made that the UoM is restricting dissemination of knowledge owing to the fact that dissertations are not being placed in open access. As pointed out in the letter, the UoM Library has indeed embarked on a project with specific faculties whereby students are being asked to forward copies of their dissertations in electronic format. Although these electronic dissertations can be accessed through dedicated workstations within the library, it is important to note that for copyright reasons the library is not in a position to place these dissertations in open access."