Information and Documentation Department

The Historical Archive is kept in the administration at the Garching site. It is divided by content and location between the archive of the science administration (building H1) and the archive of scientists' bequests and scientific publications (building D2).

The Historical Archive keeps old files and documents that are no longer needed for business purposes, but are so important (in a historical, scientific, legal or administrative respect) that they must be permanently stored.

The archive of the science administration is organised in 7 main categories:

• Committees
• Legal matters, patents and licences
• Research work
• Cooperations
• External relations
• Scientific and technical infrastructure
• Administration

Electronic documentation so far covers the main categories, "Committees", "Scientific and technical infrastructure", "Administration" (personnel matters, organisation and public relations) and scientific bequests from Fünfer, von Gierke, Grieger, Hertweck and Pinkau.

The documentation of the Historical Archive (printed matter) comprises the scientific publications of IPP and the publications of the public relations offices of IPP, MPG and AGF/HGF. This stock is listed in the Libero online catalogue.

The Historical Archive is confined to keeping the most important files and documents that are of importance to the identity and work of the institute; other documentation, e.g. older material bequested by scientists, is transferred to the archive of the Max Planck Society.

The Historical Archive is accessible for the business of IPP personnel, but on request can be used for research on scientific history.