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

Learning outcomes

The course aims to introduce the study of the archival document and the related finding aids for computer processing. From one side problems related to the description according to the standards in use will be faced; on the other hand we will address the issue of conservation and preservation over time. Special attention will be devoted to the creation of open access environments for digital documents in the field of historical archives.

Course contents

The course aims to provide the critical knowledge in the management and description of historical archives.

The following issues will be mainly addressed:

■ Organization of archival information systems and analysis of the main resources (SAN and DGA);
■ The application of computer techniques to the world of archives, with particular reference to archival description and standards (ISAD-ISAAR);
■ XML schemas for the creation of finding aids. The standard Encoded Archival Description (EAD) and Encoded Archival Context (EAC) and their application;
■ Archives and Web issues related to the internet presentation of archival descriptive systems, in conjunction with the descriptive standards and principles for the quality of cultural websites (architecture, communication, languages, HTML-CSS);
■ Computer programs for the archival inventories (e.g XDAMS, Archimista and ICA-Atom);
■ The role of ontologies in the representation and management of archival documents.

Readings/Bibliography

• • M.GUERCIO, S. PIGLIAPOCO, F.VALACCHI, Archivi e informatica, Civita editoriale 2010;
  • MIBAC - DGA, SIAS - Sistema Informativo degli Archivi di Stato. Linee guida alla descrizione e alla gestione del patrimonio documentario. A cura di Pierluigi Feliciati, 2004 (on AMSCampus);
  • D. BONDIELLI, SIUSA - Sistema Informativo Unificato per le Soprintendenze Archivistiche. Genesi e sviluppi di un progetto, "Centro di Ricerche Informatiche per i Beni Culturali" XI, 2, 2001 (on AMSCampus);
  • M. TOSTI CROCE, I portali tematici come strumenti di divulgazione del patrimonio archivistico, "Digitalia" VII, 2, 2012 (on AMSCampus);
  • Progetto MINERVA, Archivio&Web: una proposta per l'architettura di un sito web di un archivio, 2007 (on AMSCampus);
  • 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 (on AMSCampus);
  • International council on archives, ISAAR (CPF): international standard archival authority record for corporate bodies, persons and families. 2 ed. 2004 (on AMSCampus);
  • Gli standard descrittivi ISAD (G) e ISAAR (CPF) e il documento del Consiglio Internazionale degli Archivi sugli strumenti di ricerca sono pubblicati in "Rassegna degli Archivi di Stato", a. LXIII - n. 1, gen./apr. 2003 (on AMSCampus);
  • XML and CSS tutoriale from W3Schools web site [http://www.w3schools.com/default.asp] ;
  • 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);
  • Society of american archivists: Encoded Archival Context for Corporate Bodies, Persons, and Families - EAC-CPF. URL=http://eac.staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/ (official site);
  • EAD and EAC ontologies from XDAMS web site (Regesta). URL=http://www.regesta.com/xdams/home.html; [http://www.regesta.com/xdams/home.html]
  • Ontologies in SAN. URL=http://san.beniculturali.it/web/san/dati-san-lod; [http://san.beniculturali.it/web/san/dati-san-lod]
  • Bibliographic repertories from DGA and SAN: Free journals and books, URL=http://www.archivi.beniculturali.it/index.php/archivi-nel-web/archivistica-online ; Ricerca in OPAC SBN dal SAN, URL=http://san.beniculturali.it/web/san/risorse-bibliografiche .

Teaching methods

• Lessons;
• Seminars;
• Online tools;
• Software analysis;
• XML/EAD-EAC markup.

Assessment methods

1. SEMINAR. Presentation of an original work on one of the themes of the course. The argument will need to be a theme not already discussed during the course. You can start from the bibliography that will be provided and by using the repertories mentioned in the previous section (Readings/Bibliography). The work will need to be summarized in a presentation of about 15 slides on PowerPoint (bibliography and sitography included) and presented in maximum 30 minutes.

Possible macro-thematic (define a sub-theme):

    Methodology;
    Archival information systems;
    Standard;
    Archives in the web;
    Digitization;
    Cultural Web and digital preservation;
    Software description and inventory.

2. WEB SITE. Discussion of the features of one or more web archival sites to be choosen among those presented during the course, with particular reference to: descriptive model and adaptation to descriptive standards; peculiarities in the implementation of this model; management of data, in particular reference to specific technical solutions; presentation of data and access.

In detail the following criteria have to be checked:

Compliant with the model Minerva (architecture and content).
Type of offered tools (directories, guides, inventories, etc..).
Use of formal languages (XML / HTML / XHTML).
Application of descriptive standards (ISAD / ISAAR).
Use of formal schemes (EAD / EAC).
Integration with the central systems (SIUSA / SIAS).

Non-attending students are required, in addition to the preparation of the seminar and the critical discussion of an archival website, even to read the full text of one of the materials reported in the literature and the critical discussion of ISAD, ISAAR and EAD.

The evaluation will be based on the following parameters:
- Insufficient vote. 1) SEMINAR. The choosen argument replicates what already discussed in class; the work does not demonstrate adequate bibliographical survey; the research does not reveal the ability to deepening of the issues addressed; the presentation does not respect the timing. 2) WEB SITE. The discussion of archival Web site does not prove acquisition of the technical vocabulary of the discipline; the description shows a deficient study of the selected Web site; the choice of the resource is based on sites already widely discussed during the lesson.
- passing grade. 1) SEMINAR. This question, even if new compared to what was discussed in class, demonstrates a minimum bibliographical survey; the work reveals only partially the ability to deepening of the issues addressed; the presentation meets the timing. 2) WEB SITE. The discussion of archival Web site shows the partial acquisition of the technical vocabulary of the discipline; the description reveals a limited study of the resource; the choice of the resource is based on previously submitted sites during class.
- good vote. 1) SEMINAR. The topic of the seminar demonstrates adequate bibliographical survey; the work brings out the ability to deepening of the issues addressed; the presentation meets the timing. 2) WEB SITE. The discussion of archival Web site shows the full acquisition of the technical vocabulary of the discipline; the description reveals an analytical study of the resource; the choice of the resource is based on a site not discussed during the lesson.
- excellent vote. 1) SEMINAR. The topic of the seminar demonstrates a serious and careful bibliographical survey; the work brings out the ability to deepening of the issues addressed; the research shows autonomous reworking ability; the presentation meets the timing. 2) WEB SITE. The discussion of archival Web site demonstrates profound acquisition of the technical vocabulary of the discipline; the description brings out an in-depth and analytical study of the resource; the presentation is based on a site never discussed nor presented during lectures.

Teaching tools

Classes are held in the computer lab equipped to consult online materials and produce digital objects.

During the lectures bibliographic materials will be provided.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Tomasi