From paper to bytes: digital knowledge sharing. a multi-level approach to document digitalization. A case history in italian historical studies

Archives have a lot of documental collections relevant for studies; however items within are difficult to access or consult. Web will be an efficient tool to disseminate the content of documents rare or undisclosed for preservation purpose.The research "Dictionary of the Italian Resurgency" by Rosi has allowed to public, historians to access four Volumes fundamental to studies on Italian Modern History.Project has been developed in collaboration with Civiche Raccolte Storiche di Milano (Milano Historical Downtown Collections) following a proposal in the framework of the Network of Historical Museums. The project was a transformation in digital form of books; then a web system was implemented to publish, to search text, using booth a textual format (indexed by Google and WW searchable) and the original printing (downloadable in jpg format). A search system using key criteria allows to crosscorrelate dates, overcoming the labour intensive traditional examination. A distributed system for data insertion allows many students collaborate, revising and upgrading the contents.Next step will be the creation of links between the contents of the first tree volumes: Peoples and the content of the fourth: Events where peoples quoted in the dictionary were involved as main actors..