How do I get hold of a specific dissertation? - Writers Forum

Ilan Bouchard · 09-26-2006, 09:47 AM

I've come across a dissertation that I think would be very useful for a book I'm writing.

Unfortunately, only 40 colleges worldwide have access to it, and they all require 'patron' codes; that is, I need to be a student or faculty member of the college to gain access.

Does anyone know how I could get access to this dissertation? I've never tried something like this before.

mammamaia · 09-26-2006, 10:51 AM

i'll assume you've googled it to death already, to no avail... have you tried asking any of those colleges for access?... or the author of the dissertation?

Ilan Bouchard · 09-26-2006, 10:54 AM

Google brings up nothing. I have no idea how to contact the author, assuming he's still alive; the paper was written in the '74.

I hadn't thought to ask any of the colleges for access; I'll start with that. Thanks for the advice.

valeca · 09-26-2006, 11:32 AM

I was going to suggest asking the colleges for special access, but since that's been covered, I'll move onto this: If the colleges give you the 'no' answer, ask them if they've any ideas on getting a copy of it for yourself. They might have a better idea of where to go/how to start the process of obtaining one.

Ilan Bouchard · 09-26-2006, 11:36 AM

Aye. Any ideas on what department of the college I should contact for this? (As well as which one(s) I should contact first; there are forty of them, after all. I'll probably start with the ones in NY, though.)

valeca · 09-26-2006, 11:51 AM

Well, without knowing which schools you plan on asking, I can't offer suggestions on which ones to start with, silly boy.

As an example : The U of T's library has links at the bottom of the page to contact a librarian--s/he (of whatever schools you're contacting) might be a good place to start. And just as a shot in the dark, the English Dept. might be another one.

And one last suggestion to consider if all else fails. Check into the schools' Alumni assoc's. to see if anyone there would be willing to help. Maybe there'll be a good samaritan amoung them willing to get it for you if they can.

mammamaia · 09-26-2006, 12:35 PM

i'd start with the librarian, as val suggested, as well as the heads of whatever department/s seems appropriate, given the topic of the paper...

Ilan Bouchard · 09-26-2006, 12:41 PM

Would the college I'm going to now be able to help me? Do colleges typically collaborate like that?

mammamaia · 09-26-2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Would the college I'm going to now be able to help me?

no one can tell that but you... ask and ye shall find [out]!...

Quote:

Do colleges typically collaborate like that?

i'm sure some do and some don't... but if they do, it's probably done more for staff, than students...

FrankBlissett · 09-26-2006, 01:15 PM

Is the author still alive? If so, then you could try contacting him/her.

Many colleges will try to be helpful, and with several to chose from you're bound to find one that will work with you. If any of them are close by then you may be able to see a copy at the library.

Regarding "patron", it can vary from college to college. Some only allow faculty/staff/students/alumni. Others also allow local residents to become patrons.

Maybe you could go to your local university library and explain your situation. They may be able to get an ILL of the paper for you.

-Frank

Ilan Bouchard · 09-26-2006, 09:03 PM

I posted the list of colleges on another website and asked if anyone there would be willing to email/mail a copy of it to me and I got a few responses, but I'll talk to my college if that falls through.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Spherical Time · 09-29-2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilan Bouchard

Would the college I'm going to now be able to help me? Do colleges typically collaborate like that?

Typically yes to both questions. My school was able to do this for me on one occation. I talked to my librarian about it, and then I called their librarian. I had to make sure that it was shipped back in pristine condition though (and, humourously, it arrived to late to do any good).

Ilan Bouchard · 09-29-2006, 11:27 PM

I've just been told by my college that they can get any document from any college in the U.S. within 48 hours, so I think I'm all set.

Thanks for the help, everyone.

Hodge · 09-30-2006, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilan Bouchard

Would the college I'm going to now be able to help me? Do colleges typically collaborate like that?

Yes. Universities, anyhow—I'm not sure about private colleges.

Universities worldwide are all linked in this massive inter-library loan system. It's pretty cool—I could order books (for free) from European universities if I so chose. I'm not sure if non-students also have access to this service, though.

TsuTseQ · 09-30-2006, 02:28 AM

Go to your local uni library -- if you can't get the info yourself (on the computer), I'm sure a smartie-pants like yourself can charm the information from some ususpecting wench