NATIONAL PHD IN HERITAGE SCIENCE

Thesis title: Partecipazione al patrimonio culturale bibliotecario: servizi digitali innovativi per la didattica e l’apprendimento

This research project focuses on the role of libraries and digital libraries in the current context of the digital transformation of culture, libraries, and schools. Specifically, it focuses on the importance that libraries and digital libraries can have in secondary school education, in order to develop ‘quality education’ (2030 Agenda, Goal 4), ‘participation in cultural heritage’ (Faro Convention), and skills related to information literacy and digital literacy (DigComp). For this purpose, the concept of digital transformation of culture, libraries, and schools has been analysed and explored in depth. With regard to the cultural sphere, paradigms such as "horizontal culture" and "culture 3.0" and related concepts, the transformation of books and reading, and the role of platforms are explored. The role of libraries is studied considering their belonging to different fields and systems, such as public administration, the culture system, books, cultural heritage, information, research, etc. In particular, the focus is on digital libraries, their social role, and the evaluation of digital libraries. Although the focus is on libraries, the reflection also extends to other cultural heritage institutions, from a MAB (Museums, Archives, Libraries) perspective. Furthermore, the digital transformation of education is addressed, drawing on ministerial interventions dedicated to schools and the development of "digital teaching." Several issues related to the introduction of digital technologies (tools, content, approaches, methods) in teaching and learning are explored; the focus then is on the role of libraries and digital libraries. Based on this work, an applied research project is being developed, that involves the identification and use of a digital library service for use in schools. The service identified is Storie, a digital service for content curation and digital storytelling based on the use of digitised cultural heritage resources available by cultural institutions according to the specifications of the IIIF (International Image Interoperability Framework) protocol. This protocol enables interoperability and reuse of resources and is increasingly used by cultural institutions worldwide (Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Bodleian Libraries, British Library, DigiVatLib, etc.) and various projects (Biblissima, e-codices, Illuminated Dante Project, Fragmentarium, etc.). Concurrent with the doctoral program, a complex PCTO (Paths for Transversal Skills and Orientation) project was developed, involving the National Library of Potenza - which provided the service, the digital platform for its use, and the library's spaces and resources - and a class of high school students from the IIS Da Vinci-Nitti in Potenza. The output of the project is the production and publication of original contents by ctudents using Storie and open resources of cultural heritage, made available by institutions around the world. The project is integrated with a complex research program divided into several phases, in which different methodologies and investigation techniques (usability tests, structured interviews, observation, focus groups) were used to evaluate the service and the impact of the project. Indeed, the objective is also to produce an outcome: a positive impact designed and implemented by the library together with the university and oriented towards society, specifically to education. The detailed analysis of the collected data highlights various aspects of the project and its positive impact. In particular, students appreciated the service and its features and functionality, the possibility of using cultural heritage resources, the opportunity to explore specific topics using even lesser-known historical and artistic sources, the opportunity to work in groups, the creation of original content, and the overall organization of the PCTO. However, some challenges emerged, mainly related to the approach to resource research and content creation. At the same time, students highlighted the usefulness of the service in various school activities, the importance of promoting it, and the possibility of using the content they created in other contexts and for different purposes. Some also stated that participation in the project sparked particular interest in topics and school subjects. The evaluation was also conducted with the aim of improving the service and the project, imagining other possible uses of the service by teachers and students, replicating the experience in other contexts, and developing training for librarians and teachers based on the project. In this way, the impact can be further expanded and strengthened. The doctoral program also stimulated reflection on further research projects related to digital libraries and their impact, and the role of libraries in developing projects together with schools.