Dear Joanna
Thank you for sending your message to us. However it does not answer the
question which I and other ILL librarians are asking. We are not asking
you to continue in the same way as before.
Bristol use the same supplier as BL when we want to make copies for our
own customers. They supply a master copy from which other copies are made
and a diazo copy which we send to our customer. We keep the master copy
which we lend to other libraries or use to create further copies when
necessary. We don't mind if the master copy gets lost if that happens when
it has been lent to others.
I have seen nothing which explains why BL cannot lend out the master copy
of the theses which they have. Why is it insisting that the only way it
can make these theses available is by continuing in the same old way as
before? I think the BL needs to re-consider and fast judging by the very
real anger that I and other ILL librarians feel at the way in which one not
very good system has been replaced with something even worse, even though
there is potential in time for it to be better. We are now in the position
of exposing our unique copies to risk because of this and having to explain
to our users that we are only able to offer a worse service with no idea
when it will be better.
Jean
--On 16 October 2008 17:07 +0100 "Newman, Joanna" <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Dear Colleagues
>
>
>
> I am writing to address the concerns and questions that have been raised
> throughout today concerning the Monday 20th October 'soft launch' of
> EThOS. The soft launch is necessary to start a period of load testing
> and any inevitable final adjustments that are needed to ensure the system
> is made ready for the fully operational launch of EThOS on Wednesday 5
> November 2008.
>
>
>
> If there is any reason why we cannot maintain the system during the soft
> launch period (from Monday 20 October), we will reinstate access to the
> microfilm service. We will be issuing regular communications via various
> channels (www.ethos.ac.uk; www.ethos.bl.uk and list servs like this)
> throughout the soft launch testing period to keep you informed of your
> choices and access to material for your customers.
>
> As you may be aware the microfilm service cannot be sustained and the
> offer of the microfilm service if the soft launch needs technical
> attention is to enable the best possible transition from existing service
> to EThOS, which we believe will be a far better and more efficient
> service.
>
> We apologise for any confusion and will ensure we continue to keep you
> updated with progress. I would also like to take this opportunity to
> draw your attention to the EThOS fact sheet below to remind you of the
> goals of the service and to clarify exactly what EThOS can deliver. I
> believe that this fact sheet addresses some of the concerns and questions
> raised throughout today.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Dr Joanna Newman
>
> Head of Strategic Partnerships, Higher Education
>
> The British Library
>
>
>
> EThOS -- The Facts
>
>
>
> Making UK Theses much easier to obtain
>
>
> * EThOS was developed with generous funding from JISC, CURL (now RLUK)
> and the partners including The British Library and several UK Higher
> Education institutions led by Glasgow and Imperial
>
>
> * EThOS makes UK theses (e and paper based) available via a
> 'one-stop-shop' by harvesting e-theses from Institutional Repositories
> and digitising paper theses on-demand from researchers
>
>
> * Any e-thesis held by the system is available for immediate download
> anywhere in the work direct to the researchers desktop
>
>
> * The central system, which allows consistent and coherent access to
> all theses, is managed by The British Library and includes the access
> system and a digitisation studio
>
>
> * When a researcher wants access to a paper thesis, the system contacts
> the institution, digitises the thesis and loads it to the EThOS system.
> The system then emails the researcher who can immediately download it.
> Supply times will be greatly improved over the current microfilm service
>
>
> * The vast majority of theses will be digitised at no cost to the
> researcher on an open access basis -- in the majority of cases
> digitisation will be paid for by the HE institution
>
>
> * Once a thesis is digitised it is available for immediate free
> download in perpetuity
>
>
> * The British Library copies a microfilm every time it is loaned so
> that we keep the original for future supply. This means researchers don't
> have to wait until the previous user is finished, keeps the original
> secure and is cheaper and more efficient than re-filming
>
>
> * Institutions wishing to offer Open Access to their paper theses can
> pay for the digitisation on behalf of the researcher i.e. access to the
> thesis is FREE at the point of use! We expect the majority of
> institutions taking part to support this level of service but it is at
> their discretion -- there are other models should an individual
> institution be unable to offer Open Access
>
>
> * EThOS offers 'added value services' where the researcher can order
> printing of the thesis or supply on CD/DVD. The researcher will be
> charged for these services -- see the toolkit for the actual figures. But
> remember, the thesis can be downloaded for free
>
>
> * For its part, The British Library is offering all services on a not
> for profit basis
>
>
>
>
>
> The implementation of the EThOS system will enable anyone anywhere in the
> world will be able to search and access UK theses on-line. A user will be
> able to download them to their desktop from a single point of contact.
> The number of theses available for immediate free download will rapidly
> increase as more and more are digitised and, by its very existence, EThOS
> will encourage further the already rapid move towards electronic
> submission.
>
>
>
> Further information about EThOS can be found at the project website
> www.ethos.ac.uk published EThOS toolkit is available here
> http://ethostoolkit.cranfield.ac.uk/
>
>
>
>
>
>
----------------------
Jean I. Bradford
Serials and Inter-Library Document Supply
University of Bristol Information Services
Arts and Social Sciences Library
Tyndall Avenue
Bristol BS8 1TJ
Tel: 0117 331 8367 Fax: 0117 925 5334
[log in to unmask]
VAT No. GB 139085946
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