1. A computer-implemented method for configuring a life-cycle for preservation of digital content, the method comprising: examining metadata associated with a digital object that is to be stored in a repository; identifying one or more preservation rules for the digital object based on the metadata for the digital object, the preservation rules describing a set of future actions to be taken on the digital object to ensure preservation of the digital object throughout the digital object's life-cycle; applying the identified preservation rules to the digital object; storing the digital object and the applied preservation rules in the repository; generating a maintenance alert based on the preservation rules applied to the digital object; and in response to the maintenance alert, performing the following actions on the digital object: retrieving the digital object from the repository; refreshing the digital object in accordance with the applied preservation rules; and returning the digital object to the repository.