Planning and Implementing a Migration to Alma DIgital for Controlled Access to Confidential Theses

In mid-2023, it was announced that our homegrown repository, the Theses Digital Archive (TDA), would be decommissioned. The TDA currently houses confidential theses, and access is restricted to internal staff. The Library was tasked with finding a new system capable of archiving the theses, as well as maintaining appropriate access rights. This presentation will discuss the steps we took to evaluate and implement Alma Digital to house our confidential theses, as well as the various capabilities the system holds for thesis submission, archival digitation, and controlled digital lending. Our unique collection presents challenging intellectual property navigation. Students are paid to contribute to and use the collection, and only have access during their tenure. As such, it was determined that their confidential nature required a capable apparatus for institutional approval. In concert with our regional consortium, DALNET, our implementation is underway.