Archivo Luis David Cruz Ocampo Universidad de Concepción UdeC

History and Founding

The Archivo Luis David Cruz Ocampo is a digital archival initiative of the Biblioteca Central Luis David Cruz Ocampo of the Universidad de Concepción (UdeC), Chile. It was launched as part of the commemoration of the university's centenary (the UdeC was founded in 1919 by the local community). The archive is named in honor of Luis David Cruz Ocampo (1891–1973), a co-founder of the university, its first library director (1926–1939), professor of International Law, and diplomat who served as Chile's first ambassador to the Soviet Union. The archive was formally created as an online platform using the AtoM archival description system as part of the 2020 Fondo del Patrimonio Cultural project (Concurso Regional), which inventoried the planimetric patrimony of the Concepción Campus, declared a National Monument.

Collections and Holdings

The archive preserves and provides access to documentary heritage held in the Biblioteca Central UdeC, primarily related to the history of the Universidad de Concepción. Collections include the annual Memorias de la Universidad de Concepción (from the 1960s onward), architectural plans of the Concepción Campus (dating to 1946 and later), and personal correspondence and papers of notable figures associated with the university, including rector Enrique Molina Garmendia. Personal papers of various academic and public figures who corresponded with university leadership are also held. The archive also documents the personal life and diplomatic career of Cruz Ocampo himself.

Notable Materials

The collection of architectural plans documents the construction of the Concepción Campus, a unique planned university city in Chile and Latin America. The personal correspondence of Enrique Molina Garmendia, founding rector, touches on the support of national newspapers for the university, relationships with Chilean ministries of education, and wider intellectual life.

Access and Usage

The archive is accessible online through the AtoM-based platform at archivoldco.udec.cl. Physical originals are held in the Sala Chile of the Biblioteca Central Luis David Cruz Ocampo on the Concepción Campus.