The Importance of Institutional Repositories for Dissemination of Scientific Information

Abstract

Academic libraries play a leading role in establishing institutional repositories. The contents of repositories may differ, from articles, books, across master up to doctoral theses. In my work I will try to explain the importance of institutional repositories their contribution to the development and dissemination of scientific information. I will talk about the plans of our county which will within the Tempus Project the New University Library System in the Western Balkans establish a repository of doctoral theses and works of the professors from Belgrade, Nish and Kragujevac University. The existence of the repository facilitates browsing, finding and sharing information within academic population. Repositories of electronic theses are also indicators of scientific production of particular social community which may have positive influence on its visibility and popularization in the general public.
They could potentially serve as an instrument used as the basis for assessment (evaluation, validation) of a scientific work and production at the University, and that could be further helpful in preparation of documentation for scientific work assessment (evaluation, validation) (progress, election, re-election)