Date approved: August 11, 2025
Policy Statement
The Freedman Center for Digital Scholarship supports research, teaching, and learning that is enabled by digital methods and technologies. In line with Kelvin Smith Library’s strategic framework, the Freedman Center promotes collaboration, connectivity, and partnership with the campus, Cleveland, and regional communities. The Center welcomes patrons who have personal research needs and offers access to most of its technology to all patrons. Not all FC or KSL resources (such as equipment lending) are available to public patrons, and there are limits on usage of high-demand resources. The ϳԹ Acceptable Use of Information Technology policy applies to all patrons.
Purpose of this Policy
This policy defines what research, projects, and activities can be completed in the Freedman Center spaces and using its technology. The Center is located within KSL and patrons using it are asked to abide by broader KSL policies, including that all library patrons (community visitors and campus members) are expected to conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to those endeavors (See KSL Code of Conduct policy).
Definitions
- Digital Scholarship - the use of digital tools, methods, and materials to advance scholarly research, teaching, and communication
- Freedman Center Commons - A study area in the Freedman Center with large screens and tables that facilitate group discussions and collaborative projects.
- Freedman Center for Digital Scholarship - A technology lab and collaboration space on the first floor of Kelvin Smith Library. The Freedman Center features advanced computing, software packages, digitization equipment, and an equipment lending program. The lab is supported by KSL staff.
- Freedman Center Lab - The technology workstations at the heart of the Freedman Center. The lab includes computers with specialty research software, scanners, A/V digitization equipment, and other digital research tools.
- Patron - Refers to any individual who utilizes the resources, services, and facilities offered by the Kelvin Smith Library. Patrons include students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the general public
- Policy - Any regulations, in written or electronic form, of the University, including, but not limited to, the Student Code of Conduct, undergraduate, graduate and professional school academic integrity policies, and undergraduate, graduate, and professional school handbooks and catalogs.
Note About Privacy and Data Usage
The Freedman Center uses data-collection methods that assist staff with assessment and making strategic decisions about technology and software maintenance and purchases. These methods follow KSL’s privacy policy, including anonymizing personally identifiable information before it is permanently stored or shared. The Freedman Center cannot guarantee privacy beyond what is named in the KSL policy. The Freedman Center lab requires working in a shared physical space and on computers managed by [U]Tech. Patrons working with sensitive data or personally identifiable information should consider if the Freedman Center’s working context can fit their needs and/or the mandates of their funding bodies.
Lab Usage Policies
- The Freedman Center lab can be used by ϳԹ network ID holders whenever the library is open. Alumni and community access to the lab is available, as defined in the KSL Community Access Policy. Alumni and community patrons will be asked to fill out the paper “Public Patron Use Form” to access computers and linked scanning and digitization equipment.
- Patrons will refrain from unplugging, moving, or otherwise altering Freedman Center equipment.
- Patrons will refrain from attaching personal devices to Freedman Center equipment with the exception of headphones and portable storage devices (i.e. flash drives, portable hard drives, etc.).
- Due to our software licensing agreements, Freedman Center computers should be used for personal and/or academic projects.
- Patrons requiring the use of Freedman Center software and/or hardware have priority access to workstations. People seated at workstations who are not using Freedman Center software or hardware will be asked to make the station available for patrons requiring the use of Freedman Center resources. KSL staff can assist with asking patrons to shift, if necessary.
- Patrons requiring a computer for web access and/or the Microsoft Office suite will be referred to the library’s general computing stations. ϳԹ ID holders can check out a laptop from the kiosk on the first floor.
- Patrons should be present while using the machines and should not leave machines to process unattended unless previously arranged with Freedman Center staff. Staff cannot guarantee security or safety for computers that are left unattended. Sensitive data should not be stored or analyzed on these machines. Files left on Freedman Center workstations will be deleted regularly through an automated process. Staff are not able to recover files once they are deleted.
- Staff may set limits on technology usage or institute practices such as scheduling or reservations for high-demand resources. Staff can stop or disrupt a computer process based on their discretion and/or to ensure all patrons have fair access to technology for digital scholarship projects.