On 26-Nov-08, at 6:40 AM, Nicky Cashman [nnc] wrote:

Dear All,
As a relatively newly appointed repository adviser, I would very much appreciate some information regarding which UK universities have a policy/mandate on PhD thesis submission into their institutional repositories. Here in Aberystwyth University, we have such a mandate since September this year, however, since being in place, several departments have voiced their concerns. Mainly, issues arising from 3rd person copyright (quotes being used etc) and the potential negative effects on publishers who may dismiss a thesis that had already been available online (Humanities/Creative Writing especially).
Does anyone else have such a mandate and if so, how have you dealt with such concerns?
Many thanks!
Nicky Cashman

The solution is very simple:

(2) But allow the option of making the deposit Closed Access (only the metadata are visible web-wide -- the full-text is accessible only to the author and repository administrators).

(3) Implement the "email eprint request" button for your Repository, so that authors have the option to email their full-texts to individual requesters if they wish.

It goes without saying that the exact same policy should be applied to all published articles by staff too! (And if ever Aberystwyth adopts such a mandate, please do register it in ROARMAP to encourage others to follow your example!)

Ymgynghorydd Cadwrfa / Repository Advisor
Tîm Cynorthwywyr Pwnc ac E-Lyfrgell / Subject Support and E-Library Team
Gwasanaethau Gwybodaeth / Information Services
Prifysgol Aberystwyth / Aberystwyth University
Llyfrgell Hugh Owen Library, Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. SY23 3DZ
E-bost / E-mail: nnc -- aber.ac.uk
Ffôn / Tel (Hugh Owen): 01970 (62)2396