34381 - Computer Science for Archive Keeping (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to introduce the study of the archival document and cataloging instruments in view of their computer processing. On the one hand it will pose problems related to the description by the standards in use; from the other it will address the conservation and preservation over time. Special attention will be focused on the creation of open access for the repayment of digital documents and their accompanying instruments in the field of historical archives.

Course contents

The course intend to offer the tools to address to application of information technology in the management and description of historical archives. Will be mainly addressed the following issues:

• Organization of archival information systems and analysis of the main resources.
• General problems of the application of information technology in the world of archives, with particular reference to archival description and standards in place (ISAD-ISAAR);
• The XML schemas for the creation of the tools supplied. The standard Encoded Archival Description (EAD) and Encoded Archival Context (EAC) and their application in Italy and worldwide.
• DBMS and data modeling techniques (conceptual modeling), in reference to the archival description;
• Archives and Web Main issues related to the presentation and content of archival descriptive systems, in conjunction with the descriptive standards and principles for quality in cultural Web sites;
• Computer programs for archival cataloging: problems and examples of use (with particular reference to Sesamo ver. 3 and 4, Arianna ver. 3.1 and 3.2);
• The problems of electronic records and long-term preservation of digital archives.

Readings/Bibliography

• GUERCIO Mariella, Archivistica informatica : i documenti in ambiente digitale. Roma, Carocci, 2002;
• VITALI, Stefano, Passato digitale. Le fonti dello storico nell'era del computer, Milano 2004
• Conseil international des archives, ISAD(G): adottata dal Comitato per gli standard descrittivi, Stoccolma, Svezia, 19-22 settembre 1999. Trad. italiana a cura di Stefano Vitali con la collaborazione di Maurizio Savoja. 2000.
• International council on archives, ISAAR (CPF) : international standard archival authority record for corporate bodies, persons and families. 2 ed. 2004
• Society of american archivists: Encoded Archival Description working group, Encoded archival description tag library: version 1.0 / prepared and maintained by the Encoded Archival Description Working Group of the Society of American Archivists and the Network Development and MARC Standards Office of the Library of Congress. Chicago : The Society of american archivists, 1998. URL= http://www.loc.gov/ead (official site)

Teaching methods

• Lectures;
• Seminars on specific themes;
• Browsing the online tools;
• Testing of existing software;
• Marking of documents in XML / EAD.

Assessment methods

1. Presentation of a seminar on a theme discussed during the course. You can start from the bibliography tha will be provided during the course. The workshop will be summarized in a presentation of about 15 slides of PowerPoint.
Potential macro-thematic seminar in relation to which identify a sub-theme:

• methodology;
• Archival information systems;
• standard;
• Web archives;
• digitization;
• Web culture and digital preservation;
• Software description and inventory.

2. Discussion of the featuresof one or more archival sites - between those reported during the course - with particular reference to: descriptive model and adaptation to the descriptive standards; peculiarities in the implementation of this model; data management, in particular with reference to specific technological solutions; data presentation.

In detail should be checked for compatibility of the site with respect to the following criteria:

• Compared with model Minerva (architecture and content).
• Type of offered tools (directories, guides, inventories, etc..).
• Technology used for publishing and querying (static / dynamic).
• Use of formal languages ​​(XML / HTML / XHTML).
• Use of descriptive standards (ISAD / ISAAR).
• Use of formal schemes (EAD / EAC).
• Integration with the central systems (SIUSA / SIAS).

Students not attending shall include, in addition to the preparation of the seminar and the critical discussion of an archival Web site, the full reading of one of the volumes and the knowledge of ISAD, ISAAR, EAD.

Teaching tools

Classes are held in a computer room equipped to consult online materials and produce digital objects. During the lectures  reference material support will be given.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Tomasi