Electronic theses and dissertations management of agricultural university libraries in Bangladesh: challenges and recommendations

Purpose This study aims to examine electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs) management in Bangladeshi agricultural university libraries, focusing on technological challenges, current practices and actionable recommendations. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research design was employed to collect data from the participating libraries. Four of the seven agricultural university libraries were selected for research sites. Given the limited number of universities maintaining ETD repositories and postgraduate research programs, purposive sampling was adopted. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire administered to library professionals and analyzed using SPSS (version 25.0). Findings The findings reveal that all participating libraries use DSpace and maintain both born-digital and digitized theses. Substantial obstacles – including inadequate ICT infrastructure, limited technical expertise and resistance to technological advancements – continue to hinder effective ETDs management. Long-term digital preservation, repository security and infrastructural reliability emerged as major concerns affecting repository sustainability, accessibility, discoverability and visibility. Variations in digitization practices further indicate the need for improved governance and technological support. Practical implications The findings provide evidence-based guidance for library administrators, university authorities and policymakers seeking to strengthen ETDs management systems. The proposed recommendations support improvements in preservation, security, accessibility and sustainability of institutional repositories, particularly in resource-constrained environments. Originality/value This study addresses a significant gap in the literature by examining ETDs management practices within agricultural university libraries in Bangladesh. This research explores ETDs management challenges in Bangladesh and develops the ETDMAUL framework, grounded in theory and findings, to guide library practices and inform future research and policies locally and globally. The framework is presented as a theoretically informed conceptual model that provides a practical roadmap for strengthening ETDs management in developing-country contexts.