Personal digital archiving: state of the art and future perspectives

The advent of digital technology has revolutionized personal archiving, transforming the way individuals create, store, and access personal records. Over the past two decades, traditional physical archives comprising photographs, letters, diaries, and financial documents have shifted to digital formats. This transition offers convenience but also introduces challenges in long-term preservation and accessibility. Issues such as overproduction of digital documents, lack of systematic organization, data fragmentation across multiple devices, and the complexities of digital legacy highlight the difficulties in managing personal digital archives. Current efforts to address these challenges include international conferences, research projects, and guidelines from institutions like the Library of Congress. The state of research shows growing interest, particularly in the US and Europe, with projects focusing on creating sustainable personal digital archives. In Italy, significant strides have been made through conferences, research centres, and projects like PAD, ALDiNa, and the Personal Digital Memories Centre, aiming to ensure the preservation of archives created by both illustrious and ordinary people. Moving forward, raising awareness and developing best practices are crucial to safeguarding personal digital heritage for future generations.