54
Library Management
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Course Objectives
This course introduces students to the foundational concepts of archival and library science, providing a broad overview of the key theoretical frameworks and operational practices involved in the organization, management, and valorization of documentary resources. Students will acquire methodological competencies essential for the description and administration of archives and libraries, with particular attention to institutional models, sector-specific standards, and current digital technologies.
Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- apply basic principles of bibliographic cataloguing and archival arrangement.
- understand the structure and functions of bibliographic and archival information systems.
- develop effective information retrieval strategies in both library and archival environments.
Additional Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will have developed the ability to critically collect and interpret data, tools, and practices related to the fields of archival science and library studies, including their connections to social, scientific, and ethical contexts. They will be able to clearly and effectively communicate the knowledge acquired, the issues addressed, and the solutions identified, both to specialists and to a broader audience. Furthermore, they will have acquired autonomous learning skills, enabling them to pursue further studies with confidence or to engage in diverse professional settings with critical thinking and independent judgment.
Course Prerequisites
No prior knowledge required.
Teaching Methods
The course will be delivered through in-person lectures supported by visual materials. Instruction will be supplemented with the use of artificial intelligence tools to enhance the learning experience. Active student participation will be encouraged through class discussions, individual and group assignments, and guided reflection on the critical use of emerging technologies in archival and library contexts.
Assessment Methods
Assessment will be conducted through an oral examination aimed at evaluating students’ understanding of the theoretical content and their ability to integrate and articulate key concepts. The exam will also assess their capacity for critical thinking and interdisciplinary reasoning.
Final grades will be based on the following criteria:
- Accuracy and appropriateness of terminology (up to 10/30)
- Completeness and correctness of knowledge (up to 10/30)
- Ability to critically elaborate and interconnect concepts (up to 10/30)
Texts
- Federico Valacchi, Diventare archivisti: competenze tecniche di un mestiere sul confine, Editrice Bibliografica, Milano, 2022;
- Carlo Bianchini e Mauro Guerrini, Guida alla biblioteca per studenti universitari, Editrice Bibliografica, Milano, 2019.
- Giorgia Di Marcantonio, "Intelligenza artificiale, Large Language Models (LLMs) e Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). Nuovi strumenti per l’accesso alle risorse archivistiche e bibliografiche", «Bibliothecae», 13,(1), 2024), pp. 146-173.
For further reading, it is recommended:
- Maurizio Lana, Introduzione all’Information Literacy, Editrice Bibliografica; Milano; 2020, pp. 7-42; 102-125; 179-303;
- Pierluigi Feliciati, "Call me by your name: towards an authority data control shared between archives and libraries", «JLIS.It», 13(1), 2022, pp. 203-214;
Contents
Module 1 – Fundamentals of Library Science
1. Introduction to Library Science
2. Functions of Libraries
3. Library Typologies
4. Library Services and User Needs
5. Principles of Bibliographic Cataloguing
6. Functions of the Library Catalogue
7. The Italian National Library Service (SBN)
8. Digital Tools for Managing Bibliographic References
9. Information Literacy
10. Source Evaluation and Selection
Module 2 – Fundamentals of Archival Science
1. Introduction to Archival Science
2. The Concept of Record
3. Types of Archives
4. Archival Polymorphism
5. The Records Life Cycle
6. Appraisal and Preservation
7. Overview of Italian Archival Legislation
8. The Italian Model of Archival Preservation
9. Archival Information Systems
10. Digital Tools for Archival Research and Enhancement
Course Language
Italian
More information
To support study and learning activities, the required readings will be supplemented by teaching materials (slides), which will be made available on the course's TEAMS platform