(From the left) Younghwan Kim, Hyojeong Kim and Hyun Ji 

 

Past memories gathered for a better future

Established in 2001, the Seoul National University Archives has gathered the memories of the campus here and there. The archival records are classified into public records and university history records. The public records produced by the individual institutions of Seoul National University are either preserved or discarded after the examination and evaluation depending on their values. The university history records are donated or collected from the SNU members, including the professors, students and staff. These records are also arranged and then digitalized or put to preservation treatment according to the characteristics of the materials. Other records, such as the audio/video recordings about the major events in the university, may be transferred from other institutions. At present, the Archives preserve and maintain over 110,000 records that have been collected this way.

“Unlike other institutions, the history of individuals is the history of a university. We send the notifications about donating the records to the retired professors twice a year. Some professors send us records of 2 or 3 boxes. They send us the lecture notes, student IDs, report cards that they used in their undergraduate years. They also give us the lecture and research materials that he used when working as professors. The records contain the history of 30 or 40 years. The historical materials are irreplaceable records that represent their affection for the university.”

Whether you are an SNU member or not, you can view the records in the Archives. The records are usually used as the fundamental data for research or as reference data for the campus work. One of the jobs carried out by the Archives is to provide the records stored in Buildings No. 150, 73 and 25 when requested. “We feel rewarded when the records that we preciously store are used meaningfully. When we held an exhibit at the Archives for the 69th Anniversary of Seoul National University, one of the alumni who visited the exhibit recalled the school years, saying ‘Do we still have the old things like this?’ The records could have been meaningless to some, but they were like gifts that touched the heart of the visitor.”

Let the Values of Records Continue

The development of digital devices today has enabled anyone to easily record things anytime and anywhere. Ironically, the records that are remaining are less than before. The digitally stored documents are often deleted when the personal computers are replaced. The numerous photos in the smart phones are easily lost in contrast to the physical photos that used to developed and stored in albums. “Many people think that recording is the work of the past, but the records that are produced now are also very important. Just as the records of the past are meaningful at present, the records of the present can be a great asset in the future. I’d like to ask our students to keep their records of the school years well, thinking that you will be the history of Seoul National University.”

The History Research Archives, which will be opened in 2024, will operate a comprehensive stack room equipped with advanced preservation facilities and an all-time exhibit room. We hoped that the precious memories gathered in the Archives can serve as a mediator of communication between the SNU members and a reason for loving their alma mater.

“We are looking forward to convene not only the all-time exhibits but also various special exhibits for different research accomplishments and themes, when the History Research Archives is completed. The records are a medium that can connect the past, present and future. So, we ask you to show your loving concerns in the Seoul National University Archives.”