Center for Library Exploration and Research

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Center for Library Exploration and Research

The Center for Library Exploration and Research (CLEAR) fosters engagement with the Library across campus, in the community, and around the world.

CLEAR programs and services support student and faculty engagement, co-curricular learning experiences, data-driven research methodologies, and local community engagement across all library locations. Working in collaboration with the Library and the Brown and Providence communities, CLEAR aims to enhance support for core research tools and methods, primary source research, and GIS and data research. We foster community in and around the Library, and we collaborate with users to explore, assess, and transform library services. 

Provide Input

CLEAR was established in 2022, and has been in an ongoing state of growth and development. We welcome input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members about all aspects of library services and resources. Please contact Lorna Dawes, Interim Director of Library Exploration and Research, with questions, ideas, and feedback.

Campus Engagement

CLEAR partners with departments, centers, and organizations across campus to deliver specialized programming and co-curricular learning experiences that enhance research and teaching at Brown. Through innovative collaborations, we design workshops, events, and orientations that connect students and faculty with library resources while fostering critical thinking and research skills. CLEAR campus engagement initiatives prioritize creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where all members of the Brown community can explore, learn, and collaborate. From library orientation for new students to customized instructional sessions for co-curricular programs, CLEAR works to ensure that the Library serves as an accessible hub for intellectual discovery and academic growth.

Community Engagement 

High school students in a library conference room hearing from CLEAR staff
High school students attend College Day at Brown

CLEAR seeks to build connections and cultivate partnerships with our colleagues in K-12 schools, public libraries, and community organizations in support of work with local students and communities. Learn more about Brown University Library’s community engagement efforts.

For matters relating to community engagement, please contact Kelly Clifton, Head of Library Community Engagement. 

Data Services

The CLEAR Data Services team is a small hub of library data science practitioners who support students, faculty, and staff with a broad range of data and coding needs. CLEAR Data Services provides comprehensive support for finding, processing, and analyzing data — particularly geospatial, census, socio-economic, financial, and environmental — and has a particular commitment to creating free and open data and open educational resources, as well as supporting open access initiatives.

GeoData@SciLi is the Library’s geospatial data center. Located on the 11th floor of the Sciences Library, GeoData@SciLi supports geospatial and demographic research and mapping.

Explore the full range of CLEAR Data Services or contact the team at SocSciLibrarians@brown.edu. 

Engaging with Artificial Intelligence

Full conference room with presenter. Slide says "Does AI training infringe upon the works (or data) used to train the AI systems?"
Brown community members attend a session of the Critical AI Learning Community

CLEAR serves as the Library's nexus for artificial intelligence initiatives, coordinating comprehensive engagement with AI technology across multiple fronts. CLEAR leads the Critical AI Learning Community, bringing together faculty, staff, and students to explore the implications and applications of AI in academic settings. Through the development of guides, tutorials, and educational resources, CLEAR supports AI literacy across campus while conducting research on AI literacy itself and developing approaches for AI education. We play a key role in shaping the Library's AI strategy, developing innovative research services that leverage AI tools for scholarly work, and we collaborate with campus partners to advance Brown's broader AI initiatives. These efforts position the Library as an active participant in Brown's exploration of AI's potential while maintaining a critical perspective on its implementation in research and learning environments. 

Library Exploration and Research for East Asia

The East Asian research hub in CLEAR connects students and scholars with Brown's extensive East Asian collections through innovative research-driven experiences. We facilitate scholarly and public engagement centered on East Asian materials, bringing students and collections together through projects that combine traditional and digital research methodologies. Through mentorship, fellowship opportunities, and access to rare and unique library resources, the program creates opportunities for researchers to engage deeply with primary sources while developing new scholarly projects that showcase the richness of Brown's East Asian holdings. 

Contact Zhuqing Li, Head of Library Exploration and Research for East Asia, for more information.

Undergraduate Prize for Excellence in Library Research

The annual Undergraduate Prize for Excellence in Library Research recognizes undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional sophistication and originality in research initiatives. See full details and past winners here.

People

  • Kelly Clifton, Head of Library Community Engagement
  • Lorna Dawes, Interim Director for Library Exploration and Research
  • Frank Donnelly, Head of GIS and Data Services
  • Zhuqing Li, Head of Library Exploration and Research for East Asia
  • Cass Wilkinson Saldaña, Social Science Data Librarian