Unveiling the untold story: humanity in archives  
Charles Farrugia, Senior Lecturer, University of Malta

Abstract
Archives dedicate a lot of energy to the design of systems and procedures aimed at regimenting the handling and access to documentation in their reading rooms. This is necessary in order to guarantee security, legal compliance and the widest possible access to information. At times, such a structured approach tends to shift the focus on the record and the services rather than the creator of the record and the emotions that the interaction with the records stir in patrons.  This presentation builds on the author's experience of more than three decades at the National Archives of Malta. Through a number of case studies the author will highlight the emotions he witnessed expressed by researchers in their unveiling of untold, at times purposely hidden, stories.  He will also draw a number of reflections on the emotions of the archivists themselves throughout the process. 

Bio notes
Charles Farrugia, PhD, is Malta’s National Archivist. He holds degrees in history, records management and a doctorate in archives management. For the last 30 years, he worked at the National Archives, introduced records management studies at the University of Malta and hosted the CITRA conference in Malta (2009). Farrugia has published and lectured extensively and served as Chairperson of Association of Commonwealth Archivists and Records Managers. For the last nine years he was President of EURBICA. He is the head of the Department of Library, Information and Archive Sciences in Malta.