Documentation Centre

The IPC Documentation Centre, which was launched at the IPC Headquarters in October 2003, is a resource for various types of information sources required in the daily operations of the IPC Management Team as well as by external scholars conducting research on the Paralympic Movement.

The main objectives of the IPC Documentation Centre are to:

• Provide access to the history and legacy of the Paralympic Movement.
• Systematically acquire records and objects of historical value.
• Ensure the selection, appraisal, cataloguing and conservation of materials according to international standards.
• Facilitate procedures for information retrieval.
• Encourage and support research on the Paralympic Movement.
• Exhibit images and objects illustrating the development of the Paralympic Movement.

IPC Library © IPC

The IPC Documentation Centre comprises the following components: 

• Library
• Archives
• Exhibition

Scope of Fonds and Collections

Our library publications and archival fonds and collections offer insights into historical, sociological, psychological, medical, economic and management aspects of sport for people with a disability. They focus on three areas:

1. International Paralympic Committee (IPC): development from a volunteer to a professional organization, administrative evolution, relationship to membership, etc.
2. Paralympic Games: origin and history, increase in organizational complexity and professionalism, growth of media interest and public awareness, competition results, etc.
3. World and Regional Championships: increase in organizational complexity and professionalism, growth of media interest and public awareness, competition results, etc.

Research Facilities

Researchers who are interested in conducting research on the Paralympic Movement and who would therefore like to consult materials kept in the IPC Documentation Centre are asked to fill in and sign the Consultation Request Form and return it to the IPC in advance. The IPC will then consider approval and will inform the researcher about its decision as soon as possible.

• Consultation Request Form
• Regulations on Access
• Regulations on Use

Networking

We have initiated contact with experts on archiving, library and information science, and museum planning, as well as with sports museums, archives, universities, and study centres worldwide. We endeavour to enhance these existing contacts and to establish further co-operations.

Throughout the development process, external consultants from the Cologne/Bonn region have been involved who donated their time and expertise in helping the organization. In particular, the IPC Documentation Centre is supported by the Archiv- und Museumsberatung (=Archive and Museum Consultancy) of the Rhineland Regional Council (LVR). Since 2004 we have secured several grants from the LVR in order to purchase archiving equipment.

The IPC is a corporate member of:

• International Association for Sports Information (IASI)
• International Council on Archives - Provisional Section on Sports Archives (ICA-SPO)

How You Can Help: Stamp your name in history!

The IPC is looking for Paralympic Games memorabilia and records (including personal papers) which illustrate the history and development of the Paralympic Movement. We are particularly interested in materials from the early Paralympic Games. The objects will complement our collections of torches, medals, pins, flyers, posters, flags, photographs and footage and enhance the attractiveness of exhibitions. In the long term, they will serve as the foundation for a Paralympic Heritage Centre and Museum.

Donations will be documented in a donor agreement. Alternatively, objects and records can be provided to the IPC on loan, the details of which will be outlined in a special deposit agreement between the IPC and the contributor.

In an effort to improve and enlarge our library, we would also welcome the donation of books on a variety of topics such as Paralympic Games, sports for people with a disability, etc.

All donors receive special mention in the electronic database as well as on the first page of a donated book.

Many individuals have already given generous donations, including undergraduate and doctoral students who have donated their theses and research papers to the IPC Library. Thanks to all of them!

For further information on the IPC Documentation Centre contact Ms. Nora Kellermann, Information & Records Co-ordinator, at nora.kellermann@paralympic.org.