Documents and files for research: University archive with new management

The foundation of the archive is formed by the founding files of the Comprehensive University, which were brought back to Kassel from the Hessian State Archives in Marburg to the University Library last year. Based on the recently amended Hessian Archive Act, the archive management will assume responsibility for the acquisition, indexing and archiving of analog and digital files that have legal or historical value. In addition, a future-proof profile in the history of science is to be developed with regard to bequests, objects and other archival records.

"The University of Kassel looks back on a very eventful history. The documents and files from five decades can now be brought together, recorded and made accessible. Prepared in this way, our archive records can also be made available for research purposes," emphasizes Dr. Oliver Fromm, Chancellor of the University of Kassel.

Austrian-born Peter Wegenschimmel, 33, completed studies in Slavic languages and literature and philosophy at Humboldt University in Berlin, then earned a master's degree in applied sociology and social anthropology in Warsaw. In 2020, he earned a PhD in history from Regensburg and Vienna. The sociologist and historian decided to train for the higher archival service after doing archival internships in Vienna. He completed the practical part of his training at the Lower Saxony State Archives in Hanover, and recently passed the Archivarische Staatsprüfung at the Marburg School of Archives.

Entry into the office offers particular scope for creativity: fundamental decisions have to be made, particularly with regard to the development towards a digital archive, and new structures have to be established. Furthermore, archival expertise is to be contributed to the already ongoing project on the university document management system. Another focus will be regional and supra-regional cooperation - for example, cooperation in the joint project "Digital Archive of Universities in Hesse".

Claudia Martin-Konle, Executive Director of the University Library, expresses relief about the next steps: "Now that the archive has a 'head', it will continue to grow in terms of personnel over the course of the year. The spatial and technical infrastructure is also in advanced planning stages."

Contact:
Claudia Martin-Konle
Senior Library Director
Tel: 0561 / 804-2117 or -3726
Mail: martin-konle[at]bibliothek.uni-kassel[dot]de