Archive Repository start-up

The organization of the Archive Repository Preparation Office
The Archive Repository Preparation Office (hereinafter referred to as Preparation Office) was set up on July 1, 2006 and ABE Takeshi, professor at the Graduate School of Economics, was appointed director.
Later, KAN Masaki was assigned as the full-time lecturer on October 1 and the Preparation Office started its operation full-fledgedly. Two office assistants will be assigned to the office soon. The Administration Bureau, administration offices of schools, and the Planning and Implementation Division, Department of General Affairs will support clerical work in the Preparation Office. The Preparation Office conducts research, collects, organizes and preserves documents on the history of Osaka University for the establishment of an archive repository.

Archives are the norm for universities by international standards
While few people are familiar with archives at Osaka University, archives are widely accepted by the public in America and European countries as shown by archives appearing in movies such as Star Wars and Fahrenheit 9/11 . Archives are as common as libraries and museums in universities.

Unfortunately, in Japan, archives are not well known among citizens. Few universities have archive-like facilities. However, over the last few years, archive-like facilities have been set up in several national universities in Japan. Currently, of the seven former imperial universities, only Osaka University has had no archives. Other than those seven universities, Hiroshima University already has archives. Some private universities such as Waseda University also have archive-like facilities. Establishing archives enables Osaka University to meet the international and national university standards.

What is it like in an archive? What's their purpose?
The Osaka University Archive Repository is the institution to conduct research, collect, organize and preserve documents regarding Osaka University operations and disclose them on campus and to the public, contributing to education, research, management and operation of the university.

Osaka University's official documents show how well the university is doing. Each official document has its specific retention period. Of documents whose retention period has passed, the Archive Repository selects, preserves and releases important documents showing operations of Osaka University and its history. This process is called "evaluation and selection" and is one of the important duties of the institution. After evaluation and selection, most of the documents will be discarded. The Archive Repository is not an institution to keep everything, but to discard documents positively. All documents are not to be stored as historical documents.

Official documents prepared and received by Osaka University will be important historical materials in the future. Even the most recent documents can be historical materials. Furthermore, for example, when conducting reorganization, referring to past similar cases can reduce policy-making costs. The legal status change into the national corporation requires us to have a sense of management. In such a setting, the Archive Repository assists us.

Other than official documents, there are some valuable historical materials in the possession of individuals -- campus public relations magazines, timetables, syllabuses, notes on lectures, paper materials, memos, leaflets, letters, and photos can all be historical materials. Materials regarding student life can also be valuable historical materials.

Seeking your support and cooperation
The Preparation Office is conducting a survey of historical materials in the possession of the Administration Bureau and Schools. We ask for the cooperation of all staff concerned in assisting us in this endeavor. We also seek cooperation from the public regarding the donation or loan of materials. If you are able to assist us in these efforts, please contact the office below.

For more information, contact :

Mr. Masaki KAN
Archive Repository Preparation Office Osaka University
3th floor, Educational Training Building
Cybermedia Center
1-3 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka 560-8513

Toyonaka Campus map
Tel : 06-6850-6269
Fax : 06-6850-6274
Email : kan(at)hpc.cmc.osaka-u.ac.jp
(To use, please replace (at) with @.)