The Freedman Center for Digital Scholarship is being updated for Fall 2025!
The Freedman Center (FC) is adding new services for the Fall semester that enable experimentation with language models and generative AI. This upgrade maintains what users love about working with specialists in digital research tools while the Center shifts to emphasize:
- higher-end technology and computing power
- staff are more available for help without an appointment
- quick-start tutorials that let researchers "test drive" legacy and experimental research software
These changes were identified after focus groups, user experience testing, and surveying the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø community. To support this transition, the FC will close in July 2025 and reopen in August 2025. This page will detail what changes we are making, when to expect them, and how to get more information.
Here's what to expect from the new FC:
- A computer lab with robust hardware that goes beyond a typical consumer laptop or desktop and features specialty and licensed software that supports digital research projects; the lab is available as self service whenever Staff Services are available.
- The computer lab and other equipment will be relocated behind the glass of the Collaboration Commons to provide a more comfortable working space and make specialty equipment easy to find.
- A team who can help you learn how to use the software and technology in the Center during staffed lab times, no appointment needed (but you can still make one!). Support is available in person and online.
- Tutorials and sample projects that allow you to quickly try out software and hardware capabilities. Use these to see how a software package works and if it is useful for your project or not. All you need to get started is curiosity.
Expand the accordions below to learn more about these topics.
New computers with more robust hardware will be deployed. We are adding two high-end desktops with the following specifications:
- Dual Nvidia RTX 4500 Ada 24GB GPUs (graphics cards)
- Intel Xeon W7-2475X (2.6GHz Turbo) processor
- 128GB RAM
- 2TB solid-state hard drive
Our typical computers will have the following specifications:
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 8GB GPU (graphics card)
- Intel Core i9 14900K vPro processor
- 64 GB RAM
- 2TB solid-state hard drive
Software will be added that allows for experimentation with language models in a research application. These include LM Studio and LM Anywhere. This list will be frequently updated as the field changes.
What is staying the same: You will be able to do everything you could do in the current FC technology lab, including digitization of media, quantitative analysis, multimedia editing, and geospatial mapping. New computers will make these tasks faster and more efficient.
The equipment borrowing program will stay in the same location (near the Service Center) and will have no disruption in services.
Get on-demand support with staffed technology lab hours. During these times, Digital Scholarship team members will be on-hand to assist with software and equipment in KSL. You can come in person or drop in online. No appointment needed.
To make space for these and other services, the Selfie Studio is being discontinued.
What is staying the same: The lab will be open to self-service when the DS team is not on hand. As now, the lab is available to users whenever Staff Services are available (see hours here).
You can still make an appointment with the Digital Scholarship team to discuss a project outside of staffed lab times or if you need to speak to a specialist. The team is available at FreedmanCenter@case.edu.
The technology lab is moving into the glass-enclosed Collaboration Commons to provide a more comfortable and defined working environment. The current lab space is reverting to study space.
Capture studios will be repurposed for other services. A/V digitization equipment is being added to the lab area, and the Selfie Studio is being discontinued.
What is staying the same: The FC lab's physical space will still be accessible during 24/5 access, and relocating the lab will not decrease study space.
This is a rough timeline of changes for the redesign. Signage in the building and this page will be updated as we go.
May 2025
- The Selfie Studio is discontinued after finals week
- Computer configurations are in flux as we shift to a new system
June 2025
- Furniture begins to be relocated in the lab and Collaboration Commons
- You may see equipment moved around
- Staff will assist with helping you locate anything that has moved or changed
July 2025: FC Closes
- Technology lab and digitization equipment is taken offline
- The space closes for movers intermittently during this time
- Equipment lending continues, and our online services continue
August 2025: FC Reopens
- Staffed lab hours begin
- New computers deployed
- Technology lab is relocated to the Commons
- Studios converted to other uses
Want to stay in the know?
This webpage will be updated with the latest information. Check back for more details.
to stay up to date on changes and provide feedback on the redesign.
Signage will be added to areas in KSL announcing changes and disruptions to services.
Questions can be directed to FreedmanCenter@case.edu