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; and storing the digital object in the repository.