Archival Records Management
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to develop the cognitive and methodological tools necessary to address the issue of the training and preservation of new digital archives, including aspects regarding current legislation and industry standards; It also aims to address the issues of the enhancement of historical archives through the use of descriptive IT resources.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be expected to have the necessary knowledge for a primary approach to digital archival training and management issues, and to have a knowledge and awareness of the critical issues of long-term retention of digital documents and possible operational solutions. Students are also expected to be able to access historical documents through the use of digital descriptive resources (especially through archival information systems)
In the exam, students will have to demonstrate that they know how to communicate their learned content clearly and correctly and that they have mastery of the specialist lexicon of the subject.
The lessons will be supported by one or more guided tours of actual archives and depots and through the experienced talks from professions active in the management of hybrid and digital archive storage systems or experts in the use of archival description software.
Students opting not to attend the course will be able to make use of the educational tools that the instructor may make available on Ariel, and deepen their knowledge on the main topics through reading suggested by the instructor.
In the exam, students will have to demonstrate that they know how to communicate their learned content clearly and correctly and that they have mastery of the specialist lexicon of the subject.
The lessons will be supported by one or more guided tours of actual archives and depots and through the experienced talks from professions active in the management of hybrid and digital archive storage systems or experts in the use of archival description software.
Students opting not to attend the course will be able to make use of the educational tools that the instructor may make available on Ariel, and deepen their knowledge on the main topics through reading suggested by the instructor.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
First of all, the course aims to develop the conceptual and methodological tools needed to address the creation and preservation of digital archives, with particular attention to current regulations and sector standards. It also aims to illustrate the main techniques and practical experiences of reordering, conservation and digitization of documentary funds, as well as the virtualization methodologies (enhancement, communication, digital dissemination) of the archival cultural heritage updated to the most recent national regulatory developments, international standards and experimental technological applications by analyzing practical cases.
The course activities will include the presentation and analysis of various case studies, along with discussions involving professionals in the field.
Part 1: Main techniques and practical experiences of reordering, preservation and digitization of archival collections, as well as virtualization methodologies (enhancement, communication, digital dissemination) of the archival cultural heritage, updated to the most recent evolutions in national regulations, international standards and experimental technological applications by analyzing practical cases.
Part 2: Digital born archives: historical development and context, characteristics and challenges, digital documents, and regulatory and standardization frameworks for public and private institutions; records management systems and digital preservation systems
Part 3: Emerging frontiers: Artificial Intelligence, Linked Open Data, Blockchain and new technologies for archives; analysis of opportunities and experimental applications.
The course activities will include the presentation and analysis of various case studies, along with discussions involving professionals in the field.
Part 1: Main techniques and practical experiences of reordering, preservation and digitization of archival collections, as well as virtualization methodologies (enhancement, communication, digital dissemination) of the archival cultural heritage, updated to the most recent evolutions in national regulations, international standards and experimental technological applications by analyzing practical cases.
Part 2: Digital born archives: historical development and context, characteristics and challenges, digital documents, and regulatory and standardization frameworks for public and private institutions; records management systems and digital preservation systems
Part 3: Emerging frontiers: Artificial Intelligence, Linked Open Data, Blockchain and new technologies for archives; analysis of opportunities and experimental applications.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the MA degree admission.
It is useful to have attended courses in Archiving, Digital Humanities, Digital librarianship.
It is useful to have attended courses in Archiving, Digital Humanities, Digital librarianship.
Teaching methods
Attendance of the lessons is strongly recommended, although not mandatory.
The course consists of lectures aimed at acquiring theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and the appropriate language. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the course, many existing projects, resources and tools will also be shown, also useful to prepare the final exam. Visits to archives will be organized.
Discussion with the professor is an essential part of the teaching method and aims at stimulating curiosity and critical attitude and facilitating the ability to apply the skills and knowledge acquired.
The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on ARIEL platform.
It is advisable that all students, attending and non-attending, who intend to take the 9 credit exam first agree on the scope and development of the project with the teacher.
The course consists of lectures aimed at acquiring theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and the appropriate language. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the course, many existing projects, resources and tools will also be shown, also useful to prepare the final exam. Visits to archives will be organized.
Discussion with the professor is an essential part of the teaching method and aims at stimulating curiosity and critical attitude and facilitating the ability to apply the skills and knowledge acquired.
The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on ARIEL platform.
It is advisable that all students, attending and non-attending, who intend to take the 9 credit exam first agree on the scope and development of the project with the teacher.
Teaching Resources
Program for 6 cfu (attending and non-attending students):
- Knowledge of the topics covered during the lectures and made available by the instructor on ARIEL (Parts 1 and 2);
- Knowledge of the regulatory texts that will be provided on ARIEL;
- Knowledge of one of the following books:
Stefano Pigliapoco. 2022. Documentare Archiviare Conoscere. Formare e conservare la memoria nel contesto digitale, Torre del Lago (Lucca): Civita editoriale (ISBN: 9791280399175)
Maria Guercio. 2023. Archivistica informatica, 3. Ed., Roma: Carocci Editore Aulamagna (ISBN: 9788843096572)
- Critical reading of two of the following articles:
Feliciati, Pierluigi, and Luciana Duranti. 2025. "The Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Archives through the Use of Paradata". JLIS.It 16 (2):1-9. https://doi.org/10.36253/jlis.it-636.
Capaccioni, Andrea. 2025. "Digitized and Born-Digital Cultural Heritage: Implications for Digital Humanities". JLIS.It 16 (3):1-11. https://doi.org/10.36253/jlis.it-657.
Allegrezza, Stefano. 2024. "Il riversamento di formato elettronico tra standard internazionali e Linee guida sulla formazione, gestione e conservazione di documenti informatici dell'AgID". DigItalia, 19(1), 36-62. https://doi.org/10.36181/digitalia-00093
Allegrezza, Stefano. 2023. ""Effimeri ma non troppo". La conservazione dei messaggi istantanei: è ora di cominciare ad occuparcene?". AIDA INFORMAZIONI 41: 9 - 31 (ISSN: 1121-0095)
Berlangieri, M. G. 2023. "Archivi e Data Visualization. Esplorazione ed esposizione delle fonti mediante la multidimensionalità dei dati digitali e le intelligenze artificiali". DigItalia, 18(2), 173-183. https://doi.org/10.36181/digitalia-00085
Pigliapoco, Stefano. 2023. "Quando l'autore del documento è un processo certificato: nuove prospettive per la dematerializzazione degli archivi". ARCHIVI 18 (1): 71 - 86 (ISSN: 1970-4070)
Brambilla, Federica. 2022. "Un archivio d'impresa di fronte alla costruzione dell'archivio storico del futuro: il caso del progetto PAD in Intesa Sanpaolo". ARCHIVI 17 (2): 81-96. (ISBN: ISBN 978 88 5495 531 8)
Ciandrini, Paola. 2018. "Zen and the Art of Archival Maintenance. Hybrids and Resilients". JLIS.It 9 (3):171-99. https://doi.org/10.4403/jlis.it-12485.
Non-attending students are required to read one additional book of their choice from the following list:
Alessandro Alfier. 2025. Il documento e la sua autenticità. Uno strumento antico per la società digitale, Milano: Editrice Bibliografica (ISBN: 8893576856)
Roberta Angari. 2023. L'archivio ibrido. Il design per l'archivistica digitale, Firenze: Altralinea edizioni (ISBN: 9791280178978)
Stefano Allegrezza. 2022. La conservazione degli archivi di posta elettronica, Torre del Lago Puccini: Civita Editoriale (ISBN: 9791280399182)
Federico Valacchi, Lorenzo Pezzica. 2021. Dimensioni archivistiche. Una piramide rovesciata, Milano: Editrice Bibliografica (ISBN: 9788893573900)
Marco Lazzari. 2021. Informatica umanistica, 3. ed., Milano: McGraw-Hill (ISBN: 9788838697135)
Completion of an activity related to digital archiving, described in a short written paper and agreed upon in advance with the instructor.
Program for 9 cfu (attending and non-attending students):
- Knowledge of the topics covered during the lectures and made available by the instructor on ARIEL (Parts 1, 2 and 3);
- Knowledge of the regulatory texts that will be provided on ARIEL;
- Knowledge of one of the following books:
Stefano Pigliapoco. 2022. Documentare Archiviare Conoscere. Formare e conservare la memoria nel contesto digitale, Torre del Lago (Lucca): Civita editoriale (ISBN: 9791280399175)
Maria Guercio. 2023. Archivistica informatica, 3. Ed., Roma: Carocci Editore Aulamagna (ISBN: 9788843096572)
- Critical reading of two of the following articles:
Feliciati, Pierluigi, and Luciana Duranti. 2025. "The Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Archives through the Use of Paradata". JLIS.It 16 (2):1-9. https://doi.org/10.36253/jlis.it-636.
Capaccioni, Andrea. 2025. "Digitized and Born-Digital Cultural Heritage: Implications for Digital Humanities". JLIS.It 16 (3):1-11. https://doi.org/10.36253/jlis.it-657.
Allegrezza, Stefano. 2024. "Il riversamento di formato elettronico tra standard internazionali e Linee guida sulla formazione, gestione e conservazione di documenti informatici dell'AgID". DigItalia, 19(1), 36-62. https://doi.org/10.36181/digitalia-00093
Allegrezza, Stefano. 2023. ""Effimeri ma non troppo". La conservazione dei messaggi istantanei: è ora di cominciare ad occuparcene?". AIDA INFORMAZIONI 41: 9 - 31 (ISSN: 1121-0095)
Berlangieri, M. G. 2023. "Archivi e Data Visualization. Esplorazione ed esposizione delle fonti mediante la multidimensionalità dei dati digitali e le intelligenze artificiali". DigItalia, 18(2), 173-183. https://doi.org/10.36181/digitalia-00085
Pigliapoco, Stefano. 2023. "Quando l'autore del documento è un processo certificato: nuove prospettive per la dematerializzazione degli archivi". ARCHIVI 18 (1): 71 - 86 (ISSN: 1970-4070)
Brambilla, Federica. 2022. "Un archivio d'impresa di fronte alla costruzione dell'archivio storico del futuro: il caso del progetto PAD in Intesa Sanpaolo". ARCHIVI 17 (2): 81-96. (ISBN: ISBN 978 88 5495 531 8)
Ciandrini, Paola. 2018. "Zen and the Art of Archival Maintenance. Hybrids and Resilients". JLIS.It 9 (3):171-99. https://doi.org/10.4403/jlis.it-12485.
- Completion of an activity related to digital archiving, described in a short written paper and agreed upon in advance with the instructor.
Non-attending students are required to read one additional book of their choice from the following list:
Alessandro Alfier. 2025. Il documento e la sua autenticità. Uno strumento antico per la società digitale, Milano: Editrice Bibliografica (ISBN: 8893576856)
Roberta Angari. 2023. L'archivio ibrido. Il design per l'archivistica digitale, Firenze: Altralinea edizioni (ISBN: 9791280178978)
Stefano Allegrezza. 2022. La conservazione degli archivi di posta elettronica, Torre del Lago Puccini: Civita Editoriale (ISBN: 9791280399182)
Federico Valacchi, Lorenzo Pezzica. 2021. Dimensioni archivistiche. Una piramide rovesciata, Milano: Editrice Bibliografica (ISBN: 9788893573900)
Marco Lazzari. 2021. Informatica umanistica, 3. ed., Milano: McGraw-Hill (ISBN: 9788838697135)
- Knowledge of the topics covered during the lectures and made available by the instructor on ARIEL (Parts 1 and 2);
- Knowledge of the regulatory texts that will be provided on ARIEL;
- Knowledge of one of the following books:
Stefano Pigliapoco. 2022. Documentare Archiviare Conoscere. Formare e conservare la memoria nel contesto digitale, Torre del Lago (Lucca): Civita editoriale (ISBN: 9791280399175)
Maria Guercio. 2023. Archivistica informatica, 3. Ed., Roma: Carocci Editore Aulamagna (ISBN: 9788843096572)
- Critical reading of two of the following articles:
Feliciati, Pierluigi, and Luciana Duranti. 2025. "The Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Archives through the Use of Paradata". JLIS.It 16 (2):1-9. https://doi.org/10.36253/jlis.it-636.
Capaccioni, Andrea. 2025. "Digitized and Born-Digital Cultural Heritage: Implications for Digital Humanities". JLIS.It 16 (3):1-11. https://doi.org/10.36253/jlis.it-657.
Allegrezza, Stefano. 2024. "Il riversamento di formato elettronico tra standard internazionali e Linee guida sulla formazione, gestione e conservazione di documenti informatici dell'AgID". DigItalia, 19(1), 36-62. https://doi.org/10.36181/digitalia-00093
Allegrezza, Stefano. 2023. ""Effimeri ma non troppo". La conservazione dei messaggi istantanei: è ora di cominciare ad occuparcene?". AIDA INFORMAZIONI 41: 9 - 31 (ISSN: 1121-0095)
Berlangieri, M. G. 2023. "Archivi e Data Visualization. Esplorazione ed esposizione delle fonti mediante la multidimensionalità dei dati digitali e le intelligenze artificiali". DigItalia, 18(2), 173-183. https://doi.org/10.36181/digitalia-00085
Pigliapoco, Stefano. 2023. "Quando l'autore del documento è un processo certificato: nuove prospettive per la dematerializzazione degli archivi". ARCHIVI 18 (1): 71 - 86 (ISSN: 1970-4070)
Brambilla, Federica. 2022. "Un archivio d'impresa di fronte alla costruzione dell'archivio storico del futuro: il caso del progetto PAD in Intesa Sanpaolo". ARCHIVI 17 (2): 81-96. (ISBN: ISBN 978 88 5495 531 8)
Ciandrini, Paola. 2018. "Zen and the Art of Archival Maintenance. Hybrids and Resilients". JLIS.It 9 (3):171-99. https://doi.org/10.4403/jlis.it-12485.
Non-attending students are required to read one additional book of their choice from the following list:
Alessandro Alfier. 2025. Il documento e la sua autenticità. Uno strumento antico per la società digitale, Milano: Editrice Bibliografica (ISBN: 8893576856)
Roberta Angari. 2023. L'archivio ibrido. Il design per l'archivistica digitale, Firenze: Altralinea edizioni (ISBN: 9791280178978)
Stefano Allegrezza. 2022. La conservazione degli archivi di posta elettronica, Torre del Lago Puccini: Civita Editoriale (ISBN: 9791280399182)
Federico Valacchi, Lorenzo Pezzica. 2021. Dimensioni archivistiche. Una piramide rovesciata, Milano: Editrice Bibliografica (ISBN: 9788893573900)
Marco Lazzari. 2021. Informatica umanistica, 3. ed., Milano: McGraw-Hill (ISBN: 9788838697135)
Completion of an activity related to digital archiving, described in a short written paper and agreed upon in advance with the instructor.
Program for 9 cfu (attending and non-attending students):
- Knowledge of the topics covered during the lectures and made available by the instructor on ARIEL (Parts 1, 2 and 3);
- Knowledge of the regulatory texts that will be provided on ARIEL;
- Knowledge of one of the following books:
Stefano Pigliapoco. 2022. Documentare Archiviare Conoscere. Formare e conservare la memoria nel contesto digitale, Torre del Lago (Lucca): Civita editoriale (ISBN: 9791280399175)
Maria Guercio. 2023. Archivistica informatica, 3. Ed., Roma: Carocci Editore Aulamagna (ISBN: 9788843096572)
- Critical reading of two of the following articles:
Feliciati, Pierluigi, and Luciana Duranti. 2025. "The Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Archives through the Use of Paradata". JLIS.It 16 (2):1-9. https://doi.org/10.36253/jlis.it-636.
Capaccioni, Andrea. 2025. "Digitized and Born-Digital Cultural Heritage: Implications for Digital Humanities". JLIS.It 16 (3):1-11. https://doi.org/10.36253/jlis.it-657.
Allegrezza, Stefano. 2024. "Il riversamento di formato elettronico tra standard internazionali e Linee guida sulla formazione, gestione e conservazione di documenti informatici dell'AgID". DigItalia, 19(1), 36-62. https://doi.org/10.36181/digitalia-00093
Allegrezza, Stefano. 2023. ""Effimeri ma non troppo". La conservazione dei messaggi istantanei: è ora di cominciare ad occuparcene?". AIDA INFORMAZIONI 41: 9 - 31 (ISSN: 1121-0095)
Berlangieri, M. G. 2023. "Archivi e Data Visualization. Esplorazione ed esposizione delle fonti mediante la multidimensionalità dei dati digitali e le intelligenze artificiali". DigItalia, 18(2), 173-183. https://doi.org/10.36181/digitalia-00085
Pigliapoco, Stefano. 2023. "Quando l'autore del documento è un processo certificato: nuove prospettive per la dematerializzazione degli archivi". ARCHIVI 18 (1): 71 - 86 (ISSN: 1970-4070)
Brambilla, Federica. 2022. "Un archivio d'impresa di fronte alla costruzione dell'archivio storico del futuro: il caso del progetto PAD in Intesa Sanpaolo". ARCHIVI 17 (2): 81-96. (ISBN: ISBN 978 88 5495 531 8)
Ciandrini, Paola. 2018. "Zen and the Art of Archival Maintenance. Hybrids and Resilients". JLIS.It 9 (3):171-99. https://doi.org/10.4403/jlis.it-12485.
- Completion of an activity related to digital archiving, described in a short written paper and agreed upon in advance with the instructor.
Non-attending students are required to read one additional book of their choice from the following list:
Alessandro Alfier. 2025. Il documento e la sua autenticità. Uno strumento antico per la società digitale, Milano: Editrice Bibliografica (ISBN: 8893576856)
Roberta Angari. 2023. L'archivio ibrido. Il design per l'archivistica digitale, Firenze: Altralinea edizioni (ISBN: 9791280178978)
Stefano Allegrezza. 2022. La conservazione degli archivi di posta elettronica, Torre del Lago Puccini: Civita Editoriale (ISBN: 9791280399182)
Federico Valacchi, Lorenzo Pezzica. 2021. Dimensioni archivistiche. Una piramide rovesciata, Milano: Editrice Bibliografica (ISBN: 9788893573900)
Marco Lazzari. 2021. Informatica umanistica, 3. ed., Milano: McGraw-Hill (ISBN: 9788838697135)
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Method and type of exam: oral exam
- Evaluation criteria: ability to critically reflect on the issues dealt with in the paper and during the course; ability to demonstrate and process the knowledge acquired, both theoretical and practical; ability to hypothesize a project in the field of digital archiving and digital humanities; critical analysis and knowledge of the main problems and solutions in the field of digital archiving and digital humanities; quality and clarity in the presentation.
The interview will focus on the topics covered in the course, in the reference texts and in the chosen ones.
For students who need to 9 CFU, it will also include a discussion of a written paper to be submitted to the teacher by email at least ten days before the exam.
Type of evaluation: mark out of thirty
The examination methods for students with disabilities should be agreed with the professor, as well as the relevant Office.
- Evaluation criteria: ability to critically reflect on the issues dealt with in the paper and during the course; ability to demonstrate and process the knowledge acquired, both theoretical and practical; ability to hypothesize a project in the field of digital archiving and digital humanities; critical analysis and knowledge of the main problems and solutions in the field of digital archiving and digital humanities; quality and clarity in the presentation.
The interview will focus on the topics covered in the course, in the reference texts and in the chosen ones.
For students who need to 9 CFU, it will also include a discussion of a written paper to be submitted to the teacher by email at least ten days before the exam.
Type of evaluation: mark out of thirty
The examination methods for students with disabilities should be agreed with the professor, as well as the relevant Office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
M-STO/08 - ARCHIVAL SCIENCE, BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LIBRARIANSHIP - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Brambilla Federica
Part C
M-STO/08 - ARCHIVAL SCIENCE, BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LIBRARIANSHIP - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Martelli Francesco
Professor(s)