Ricerc@Sapienza

Archivists have been exploring the implications of digital technology on traditional archival practice for some time, and questioning assumptions underlying traditional approaches. In particular, it is not uncommon to hear that respect for original order is no longer relevant when working with digital records. Such an attitude discounts the important role original order (defined as the last order the records had when they were in active use) plays in the very nature of archives as trustworthy records.

This chapter explores intellectual control over records, focusing on metadata, records management and arrangement and description as strategies to exercise siuch control. In particular, Section 1 identifies and explores some assumptions underlying traditional approaches to arrangement and description alogn with the opportunities to use technology to enhance existing practice. Section 2 presents some considerations on metadata and authenticity based on the InterPARES 2 Benchmark and Baseline Requirements.