Libra: Thesis and Dissertation Submission

What is Libra?

UVA’s institutional repository, providing online archiving and access for the scholarly output of the University

libra.virginia.edu

What is an “institutional repository”?

• An IR allows faculty, staff and students to self-deposit their scholarly works

• IRs generally provide open access to scholarly works, though access restrictions are possibleo UVA-only vs. worldwide accesso Embargoes

• Some universities mandate open access deposit of faculty scholarship (Harvard)

• Federally funded research may have open access requirements

Libra for Theses and Dissertations

• Many universities going to institutional repository deposit of theses and dissertations

• Replaces paper copy as copy of record

• Transitions to Libra Deposit at UVA– 2012: School of Engineering and Applied

Sciences (SEAS)– 2013: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Libra Process Advantages

• Immediate online access to theses and dissertations– Discoverable immediately upon submission– Full text availability dependent upon submission

agreement

• Workflow fully integrated with the Student Information System (SIS)

• Considerable cost savings for students, even when they choose to publish in ProQuest as well

Libra Considerations

• Open access may be considered prior publication by publishers• Embargo options are offered

• Prior publication of pieces may complicate open access for the dissertation• If parts of dissertation previously published as

articles, permission from publishers may be required

Libra Considerations

• Greater caution needed in the use of copyrighted content• Students need to be informed about copyright

concerns as early in the process as possible, and make sure necessary permissions are acquired

• Multimedia dissertations may raise preservation and access issues; consultation with the Library in early stages of process is recommended

Libra Considerations

Schools make some policy decisions:• Signature pages

• Submission of a copy without signatures is recommended

• School can decide whether necessary to keep signatures on file elsewhere

• To require ProQuest submission or not? • Library recommends schools not require, but that

students strongly consider it on their own

• Formatting requirements

Libra Considerations

• Libra file is the copy of record, replacing paper copies in the library• Paper copies no longer required (or accepted)

for the library shelves

• Final, approved copy must be uploaded by student into Libra• Later changes are only possible with

authorization from the school

Workflow Comparison: Print Process

Workflow Comparison: Libra Process

Cost Comparison: Print Process

• Submission of paper: minimum $124

• Submission of CD: minimum $85

• Fees for additional services• Copying service charges vary• Copyright registration via ProQuest: $75• Open access via ProQuest: $160

Cost Comparison: Libra Process

• Submission to Libra: Free

• Submission to ProQuest:minimum $25

Libra Process: Getting Started

Libra Process: Select Work Type

Libra Process: SubmissionForm

Libra Form: Author

Author data provided by SIS

Cannot be edited

Libra Form: Primary Advisor

Student provides advisor computing id

Name and affiliation autopopulate, based on LDAP (can be edited)

Libra Form: Other AdvisorsComputing id link to autopopulation of name and affiliation function as for primary advisor

Ability to add as many advisors as necessary

Libra Form: Title

Title provided by SIS. Cannot be edited in Libra.

Libra Form: License Agreement

Student must agree to a license option in order to submit

Libra Form: Document Upload

Libra Form: Degree Information

Provided by SIS. May not be edited in Libra.

Student has option to add specific discipline information.

Libra Form: Date Approved

Provided by SIS. May not be edited in Libra.

Libra Form: Additional Information

All elements are optional.

Libra: Keywords

Student provided keywords are optional.

Libra Form: Release DatePer decisions made by the school, students may have an option to delay release of the full text of the thesis/dissertation.

Libra Form: Preview

Libra Form: Submit!

Once all required elements have been provided, the option to submit becomes available.

Libra AvailabilityNew submission entered in appropriate facet

Libra Display: Brief Metadata

Default displays most recent submissions first

Libra Display: Access

SIS generated and student provided metadata

PDF for download

License agreement

For more information…

Libra FAQ pages:• http://pages.shanti.virginia.edu/libra/• Or go to Libra and click on “Learn More”

Copyright Essentials for Graduate Students• Linked to Libra FAQ pages

Questions?