Frequently Asked Questions

The Freedman Center for Digital Scholarship brings together advanced computing technology and technical experts to support innovating teaching and learning at CWRU. The space consists of a technology lab, Commons groupwork area, and technology-lending table. It is free to use for CWRU affiliates and community patrons. 

The Freedman Center lab has research stations with robust hardware and software on Windows PCs. See the lab Research Guide for up-to-date information about the lab's computer stations, equipment and software. 

The Lab is best used as a proof-of-concept and prototyping space. It is not an ideal space to run large datasets that require a processing time of more than a few hours, and we do not have the security to run sensitive data. We recommend [U]Tech's High Performance Computing Environment for such work. 

The Center is open to CWRU affiliates and community patrons.

Until August 2025, the lab is closed. After its reopening, the follow information applies:

Those with a CWRU network ID can log into a computer with their ID and begin using it. Those without a CWRU network ID can access the computers by going to the Service Center on the first floor of KSL, where you will be given access to information. 

The Center is located behind the glass on the first floor of Kelvin Smith Library, to the left when you walk in the front door. 

Until August 2025, the lab is closed. After its reopening, the follow information applies:

The Freedman Center lab is open for self-service use whenever KSL is open for those with a CWRU network ID. Anyone without a CWRU network ID can access the machines when KSL is open to community patrons. See up-to-date hours here. 

If you need additional assistance, come by during staffed lab times. 

The Freedman Center has an equipment borrowing program that allows patrons to check out equipment like cameras and projectors.

We do not currently have laptops for overnight checkout. You can check out laptops for 3 hours using the kiosk on the first floor of KSL. 

Freedman Center staff are always looking for better ways to serve the CWRU community. Requests, suggestions, and questions can be made to FreedmanCenter@case.edu. 

Freedman Center equipment is free to use for CWRU students, staff, and faculty. Visitors can use machines according to KSL's Access Policy. There are fees associated with lost or overdue items for the equipment borrowing program. 

All use must fall within the Center's policies and KSL's general policies. In particular, we cannot support commercial projects in the Center due to our licensing agreements. 

We ask that work on the computers is focused on digital scholarship or using the specialty software. If you need general computing, there is a laptop kiosk in KSL. 

Remember to bring a flash drive or use CWRU's cloud storage options for your projects, as files are wiped from Center computers regularly. 

Until August 2025, the lab is closed. After its reopening, the follow information applies:

Check the Center calendar for the most up-to-date information. Outside of staffed lab times, the Center remains open as self-service. If you need assistance, you can chat with a librarian on Ask KSL or speak with someone at the Service Center. 

Digital scholarship is the application of digital tools and methods to explore data in new ways and advance the creation and communication of scholarship. Digital scholarship varies vastly across disciplines. To get an idea of what digital scholarship can look like, see some past projects we have collaborated on:

• Paul Iversen, "The Inscriptions on the Antikythera Mechanism”
• Andrew R. Mancuso and Naomi Langer, "Multispectral Imaging Across Ohio with MISHA"
• Alp Sehirlioglu's work with 3-D modeling
• Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods, "Fresh Finder"

Digital Scholarship specialists are partners in your research and a resource for digital technologies on campus. Some things we might help with: 

• You have an idea for a digital project but don't know where to start
• You want to learn more about what tools like R and Python are and how they can assist in research in all disciplines
• You've heard of AI tools like Copilot but are not sure what they might do in your research project
• You have things you'd like digitized and need the right tool for the job
• You have a dataset or corpus that you need to make more accessible by adding full-text-search capabilities, alt-text, or metadata 
• You have questions about copyright and permissions
• You're interested in publishing open-access scholarship or using an ORCID

If you are ready to make an appointment, book with a digital scholarship specialist directly or email FreedmanCenter@case.edu to be directed to the right person.

Digital scholarship specialists are part of the KSL library ecosystem that emphasizes providing access to tools and resources rather than completing these processes for community members. As partners in the research process, we build things with people rather than for people. 

If you need more help than a research consultation can provide, we encourage you to apply for a Freedman Fellowship. If the program is not a good fit, we can suggest other resources on campus or avenues for hiring programmers. 

We have a variety of ways to assist scholars with their projects.

If you want help in the moment, drop by the Freedman Center lab during staffed lab times.

You can refer to our many research and instructional guides on how to use technology and software on Center computers or your home devices.

Digital Scholarship specialists are available for consultations by appointment. See what kind of work we support at this webpage. If you are ready, book directly with a specialist. If you are not sure where to start, email any query to freedmancenter@case.edu.

The Center hosts regular Digital Scholarship workshops and other events in KSL and more broadly on campus. See the KSL group on Campus Groups for our latest events.

The Freedman Fellows Program supports the planning and execution of digital research projects. The fellowship provides financial support for these projects and pairs Fellows with a member of the Digital Scholarship team and/or a Research and Engagement librarian. 

The call for proposals is during semester with awards made by the end of the semester. The program features related events scheduled throughout the following academic year culminating in a final presentation. 

Anyone holding a current appointment as CWRU faculty, researcher, or instructor from all campus departments may apply for the faculty program. Former Freedman Fellows can apply, but special consideration is given to first-time applicants.

Yes. In the 2025 application cycle, we have required applicants to reach out for a consultation with KSL staff. Email freedmanfellows@case.edu to schedule a consultation.

The funding model is flexible and the program provides a pool of funds that can be used to support projects of varying size. We encourage tiered budgets to accommodate different project scopes. Awards are often between $3,000 and $5,000. 

The number of funded projects for each depends on the number of applicants, the quality of their proposals, and the amount of the funds requested.

Digital scholarship is a broad and interdisciplinary field. Accepted Freedman Fellowship projects are often highly varied and come from multiple disciplines, but frequently projects have a strong data component at the heart of their research or teaching question.

Some general examples of topics and applications might include: qualitative and quantitative text analysis, geospatial mapping, ethical and copyright issues in technology, new media in the classroom, data cleaning and management, methods of digital scholarly communication, and applications of machine learning in the humanities or social sciences. For sample projects, please see our examples of previous Fellows.

Awards are made to support the expenses arising from innovative scholarly or creative projects that meet the Freedman Fellows criteria. The required budget should clearly state how you will use funds to carry out the the project and reach its goals. KSL staff will work with you to create a project budget; email freedmanfellows@case.edu. 

If student workers are included in the budget, they must be paid the standard wage on campus. Ask the Digital Scholarship team for the latest rate. 

Funds may not be used for a teaching release, equipment, or travel.

Fellows collaborate with the KSL staff, such as the Digital Scholarship team, and receive year-long expertise and guidance to advance their projects. The team can also coordinate technological aspects of the project and advise on issues, such as copyright, privacy, and data ethics.

Faculty Fellows are chosen by a rotating committee of KSL librarians and staff. Standard criteria include:

1. Does the project fit the mission of the Fellowship
2. Does the scope of the project match the Fellowship time period
3. Does the budget match the parameters of the Fellowship

Preference is given to applicants who have not received a Fellowship in the past. Additional criteria may be used each year, such as if the call asks for a focus on a specific technology or outcome. 

Freedman Faculty Fellows

Research was completed with support from the Samuel B. and Marian K. Freedman Endowment in the Kelvin Smith Library, Case Western Reserve University. [Team Member(s)] contributed to [action or work they assisted with].

Freedman Student Fellows

Research was completed with support from the Walter Freedman and Karen Harrison Endowment in the Kelvin Smith Library, Case Western Reserve University. [Team Member(s)] contributed to [action or work they assisted with].