We have been scanning pre-1997 bound theses and dissertations (BTD) for several years. We restrict access to these scanned documents to on-campus users unless we receive written copyright permission from the author. We encourage Virginia Tech thesis and dissertation authors to grant this permission so their documents can be accessed by users around the world.
- Go to the Virginia Tech Electronic Theses and Dissertations page: ETDs.
- Click on either of these links: Requesting Materials to be Amended or Removed, or email vtechworks@vt.edu, to remove access restrictions.
- Follow the instructions. There is no need to go through the graduate school or the department. Their role ended when the degree was granted. The digitization is a library project. A simple email to the vtechworks@vt.edu email address with the statement "I hereby grant to Virginia Tech a non-exclusive license to release my (choose one) thesis / dissertation for worldwide access" is sufficient to start the process. These theses and dissertations then appear in the ETD database and in with the designation BTD (i.e., bound thesis or dissertation). The statement simply allows VT Libraries to digitize and post online; it does not change the copyright or ownership information.
- The library is in the process of digitizing all bound theses and dissertations, so the conversion will happen eventually anyway. Having the author give permission to make it available to everyone removes the VT only access restriction. Scanned theses and dissertations without explicit author permission will be restricted to campus use only.
For more information, see the following Research Guide on ETDs.