Launch of the IIA Archives Online Finding Aids Portal
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) has taken an important step towards preserving and providing access to its rich institutional and scientific heritage by launching its Archival Portal. The portal was officially launched by Shri Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairperson, Axilor Ventures and Co-founder, Infosys, in the presence of Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director, IIA, during the Founder’s Day marking M.K. Vainu Bappu’s birth centenary.
Shri Kris Gopalakrishnan launching the IIA Archival Portal along with Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam.
Explore the IIA Archival Portal: IIA Archives
The new Archival Portal brings these efforts together and provides users with an accessible platform to explore the collections. The Browse feature allows users to discover records through keywords and filters such as subject, person, place, repository, level of description, and media type. Search results provide important details, including the archival reference code, title, description, and the record’s position within the archival hierarchy.
The IIA Archives preserve valuable records that document the growth and development of astronomy and astrophysics at the Institute. The collections include photographs, manuscripts, correspondence, reports, publications, audiovisual materials, and other records related to the Institute, its scientists, staff, observatories, research activities, and institutional history.
The development of the Archival Portal has involved a systematic process of collecting, evaluating, organizing, describing, and preserving these records and their metadata. Archival materials are received through donations, gifts, and transfers from the IIA main campus and field stations. Once received, the records are carefully examined, inventoried, and evaluated to identify materials of lasting historical, informational, and research value. Records that provide significant information about people, scientific activities, events, and the development of the Institute are selected for long-term preservation.
The selected records are then arranged and described while maintaining their original context and relationships. Detailed descriptions are prepared to help users understand the contents and significance of each collection. The IIA Archives follows the ISAD(G) – General International Standard Archival Description to maintain consistency in archival description. The descriptions, which were initially prepared in physical formats, are being progressively converted into an Online Finding Aid to improve access to the collections.
Preservation is an important part of archival work. Photographs, manuscripts, correspondence, and other records are stored safely in suitable conditions to protect them from damage and pests. The Archives Exhibition Room at the main campus has controlled environmental conditions for better preservation, while field stations such as Kodaikanal also preserve archival materials. The Archives is also taking steps to preserve digital and born-digital records, ensuring that IIA’s digital heritage is protected and available for the future.
A controlled taxonomy developed specifically for the IIA Archives further improves the discovery of archival materials. Standardized terms for subjects, personal names, and places help users identify related records across different collections and explore the Archives more effectively. Each record provides a detailed archival description, its place within the collection, related access points, and associated digital objects, where available. Through these features, users can explore the archival collections and gain a better understanding of the context in which the records were created.
The IIA Archives will continue to add new archival records to the portal, along with their descriptions and metadata. We also plan to digitize important materials such as photographs, manuscripts, correspondence, and reports. This will help protect the original records and make them easier to access in the future. The Archives will also work towards preserving digital and born-digital records created through the Institute’s research and activities.
The Archival Portal allows IIA researchers, scientists, students, staff, and other authorised users to explore the Institute’s history and scientific heritage. Users can find photographs, manuscripts, correspondence, scientific data, reports, publications, maps, and other archival records related to IIA’s people, observatories, instruments, research, and important events. The search and Browse features make it easy to find records by subject, person, place, and media type. These collections can support research, academic work, historical studies, and learning about IIA’s scientific journey and heritage. As more materials are digitised, they will gradually be added to the portal.
The launch of the IIA Archival Portal marks an important milestone in the Institute’s efforts to preserve and share its institutional memory. It brings together years of archival work and provides a structured platform for discovering the records that document IIA’s scientific journey. Through continued collection, description, preservation, and digitization, the Archives will ensure that these valuable records remain an important resource for understanding and exploring the history of astronomy and astrophysics at IIA.
For Archival records contributions and research support, please contact us at archives@iiap.res.in.
