Collections and Archives
More than 20 specialised institutions are responsible for maintaining, indexing and providing access to our comprehensive collection and archive holdings. They include a huge range of items, works and documents focused on natural sciences, technology and culture.
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Anatomical collection of domestic animals -
Archives of Contemporary History -
Chemical and Pharmacognostic Collection -
Collection of scientific instruments and teaching aids -
Graphische Sammlung ETH Zürich -
Earth Science Collections -
Entomological Collection -
ETH Materials Hub -
ETH Zurich's Art Inventory -
ETH Zurich University Archives -
Forestry Collection and Xylotheque -
focusTerra -
gta Archives -
Holdings of ETH Zurich Architectural Culture -
Image Archive -
Maps and Geoinformation -
Max Frisch Archive at ETH Library -
United Herbaria of the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich -
Rare Books -
Thomas Mann Archives -
Zoological Collection
extract – exhibition space of the Collections and Archives of ETH Zurich
Big topics in a small space: extract explores topics relating to the interplay between society and the research conducted at ETH Zurich.
The visit is free of charge and open to the public during opening hours. All information on the exhibition space, the exhibitions and the accompanying programme can be found on the extract-Website.
Strategic focus
The holdings within our collections and archives are constantly evolving, as is the range of services the archives can provide. Our digital resources complement a range of other activities, including exhibitions, publications, guided tours and lectures, to foster a close and lively dialogue between the university and the public.
Our current Download Strategy of the Collections and Archives 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 7 MB) sets this evolution in the context of the following strategic priorities for the future:
Digital transformation
- Continuing digitisation and indexing of holdings
- Enriching metadata and publishing it as (linked) open data
- Adding new features to existing platforms
- Generating added value for research, teaching and the general public
Networking of specialisations
- Strengthening our networks in Switzerland and abroad
- Making the most of new partnership opportunities for teaching and research
Purposeful dialogue with the public
- Making better use of physical space when presenting our collections and archives
- Developing innovative online formats
- Strengthening the dialogue with the public
Cataloguing and digitisation projects
- Anatomical collection of domestic animal – a look under the skin
- Cataloging of the Richard R. Ernst personal papers (ErNE)
- Digitization of downy mildew fungi (Peronosporomycetidae) in the Fungarium Z+ZT
- EFAF: Indexing of refugee files (VSJF) in the research database
- KERFE: Entomological collection
- LUDI: Digitization and recording of refugee files VSJF Lucerne
- “Meister collection” subproject as part of the 2022–2024 vascular plant collection
- Planning competitions in the city of Zurich
- Student work holdings “Building School”
- Sub-project of e-maps02, ETHLibrary
- DEFA – Digitisation and cataloguing of refugee files
- Digital registration of the moss collection of Dr. J. Amann (1859-1939)
- Digitisation: fabric sample books by Adolf Jenny-Trümpy
- Digitisation of the photograph collection of the Archives of Contemporary History (ACH)
- DinKa – digitisation of key documents in institutional holdings secured in the Archives of Contemporary History
- FuTur – Full digitisation of the rust fungi subcollection
- MALIA – digitisation of 150,000 Hymenoptera and publication of the data in the NAHIMA database
- Vascular plants herbarium
- Zoological Collection – digitisation of flash cards and associated objects
Decolonisation
Switzerland's multifaceted colonial entanglements are also reflected in the history of ETH Zurich and its collections and archives. The active engagement with this history and the current decolonisation debates takes place on several levels.
Office for the Protection of Cultural Heritage
Working in close collaboration with the Collections and Archives of the ETH Library and the departments at ETH Zurich in charge of collections, the Office for Cultural Property Protection (KGS) is responsible for developing and implementing emergency concepts in accordance with the specifications of conservation organisations, the emergency services, and federal laws and regulations. Read more