OHIO Open Library hosting of MFA Theses

Julie Dummermuth
Director, School of Art + Design 

Karla Hackenmiller
Professor,
Associate Director/Chair of Graduate Programs,
School of Art + Design 

Courtney Kessel
Gallery Director,
Ohio University Galleries 

Damon DeBorde
Head of Metadata Services and Administrator of OHIO Open Library, University Libraries 

Janet Hulm
Assistant Dean for Collections and Digitization Strategies,
University Libraries 

Julie Dummermuth, Karla Hackenmiller and Courtney Kessel, partnering with librarians Damon DeBorde and Janet Hulm, were instrumental in publishing the master’s theses of students in the School of Art + Design in the OHIO Open Library. The online format allows scholars worldwide to view the students’ theses with keywords and makes them easier to find in subject searches online. Once in the online repository, the work is given a permanent URL so students can a share the project with colleagues, grantors and potential employers. This collaborative effort aligns with the Libraries’ mission to empower students by providing opportunities to share their work with the global scholarly community and realizes the Libraries’ vision to enhance and sustain Ohio University academic opportunities. 

“The content [of the theses] is so good…And having something searchable for their thesis is fantastic. Being searchable is important for these students who are still early in their careers.” 
– Courtney Kessel