Masaryk University Archives

Head: Dr. Jiří Pulec

Veveří 70, 611 80 Brno

Tel. 420-5-42 21 48 53

On December 31 1999, Masaryk University Archives kept 26 official funds (i.e. archives originating from activities performed by the university and its institutes). 97 personal funds of academics (written remains collections) and 41 archive funds of associations, academic associations and social organizations, the work of which was connected to Masaryk University. The Archives also keep 10 historic collections.

In 1999, the number of funds and collections in the MU Archives grew considerably. The Archives took over written collections of the Faculties of Science and Arts originating from between 1950 and 1980. The personal fund of the philosopher Josef Šafařík was transferred from the Institute for Theatre and Film Studies of the MU Faculty of Arts, and became a significant new addition to the Archives. After a few years of stagnation, the photograph collection was significantly enlarged (by sets of photographs from the International Office of the MU Rector’s Office in particular). The Archives also received a bust of Arne Novák, which was given as a present to Masaryk University by the Novák family.

The Archives opened personal funds of English scholars Josef Vachek, František Chudoba and Paul L. Garvin. The institute also processed funds from the Institute of Marxism and Leninism which include written documents from before 1968. With regard to the Archives’ participation in the 409/00/0130 grant project (”The History of University Education in Moravia between 1945 and 1990”), it was necessary to process rapidly some documents from the Faculties of Arts and Science taken over by the Archives Department in 1999.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Masaryk University’s founding, the Archives was involved in the publishing of an anniversary publication and preparation of the MU stand at the Exhibition of Insignias, Records and Documents of Brno Schools of Higher Education.

On the occasion of the November 17 anniversary, an exhibition of photographs and posters from the MU Archives was held in the New Town Hall.

The administrative functions of the MU Archives are wide, and include the issuing of various certificates, diploma duplicates and school certificates. In comparison with last year, the number of documents issued has doubled. The number of research workers visiting the Archives has also increased, which is probably connected to MU’s important anniversary. As one of the very few Czech university archives, the MU Archives have at their disposal a national computer database of the PEVA programme, which comprises all data on the filing of archival materials in the Czech Republic. Through the inter-archives service, the MU Archives are also able to arrange loans from other archives.