An overview of the history of collection and preservation of earthquake-related material
A project for the collection and preservation of records and materials related to earthquake disasters and recovery efforts was initiated in October, 1995, by the 21st Century Hyogo Creation Association at the behest of Hyogo Prefecture.
In April, 1998, this work was taken over by the Great Hanshin–Awaji Earthquake Memorial Research Institute, which also began to study criteria for providing public access to the collected materials.
Hyogo Prefecture also undertook a two-year project in June, 2000, to survey earthquake-related materials using monies provided under the Emergency Local Employment Special Fund. This entailed visits to NPOs, local organizations and labor unions, reconstructed public housing facilities, business offices, schools, and community development organizations by a total of 450 examiners to collect fliers, pamphlets, notebooks, memoranda, photos, items used at evacuation centers, and other articles as primary documentation of the disaster. A total of nearly 160,000 items were collected, including those held by the 21st Century Hyogo Creation Association and the Great Hanshin–Awaji Earthquake Memorial Research Institute.
Responsibility for the preservation and use of the collected materials was taken over by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial & Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution Library, and these materials have been displayed at the Library since the opening of the DRI in April, 2002.
Milestones in the history of collection and preservation of earthquake-related material
March 1995
Establishment of the Earthquake and Activities Records Office in the Great Hanshin–Awaji Earthquake Local NGO Relief Liaison.
May 1995
Start of full-fledged collection of earthquake materials for the Great Hanshin–Awaji Earthquake Disaster Materials Collection at the Kobe University Library
The Hyogo Prefectural Library and the Kobe City Library begin collection of primary documentation and other earthquake disaster materials
Start of multilateral cooperation between municipalities, libraries, and other organizations involved in preserving historical materials as well as historians and other individuals
October 1995
The 21st Century Hyogo Creation Association begins collection of materials related to earthquake disasters at the behest of Hyogo Prefecture.
December 1996
Hiring of three part-time, temporary employees. Initial examinations focus on former evacuation centers and other facilities.
April 1998
The Great Hanshin–Awaji Earthquake Memorial Research Institute takes over responsibility for collection of materials.
The collection, organization, and preservation of existing information about the Great Hanshin–Awaji Earthquake is designated a part of those responsibilities.
Examination of primary documentation, focusing on emergency housing and volunteer groups
Establishment of the Earthquake Documentation Classification and Public Access Criteria Working Group (through the end of FY2000)
April 1999
Establishment of the Public Access Criteria Study Group (through the end of FY2000)
June 2000
Implementation of a large-scale survey using monies provided under the Emergency Local Employment Special Fund (through the end of FY2001)
April 2001
Establishment of the Earthquake Documentation Preservation, Utilization, and Utilization Policy Working Group (through the end of FY2001)
Establishment of the Earthquake Documentation Preservation, Utilization, and Utilization Policy Study Group (through the end of FY2001)
April 2002
Work is taken over by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial & Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution Library.