A Familiar Face in the Stacks: Kelly Brown Returns to Nash Library
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is welcoming a familiar face back to Nash Library. Kelly Brown, who served as USAO’s librarian for 17 years, has officially returned to the institution to lead new archival and student-outreach initiatives after a brief period of retirement.
Brown’s history with USAO began in 2002. During her initial tenure, which lasted until 2019, she became a cornerstone of the university’s research efforts. Following a stint at the RAND Corporation and a move to Rochester, New York, Brown found that retirement did not suit her as much as the intellectual rigor of campus life.
"USAO is a great place to be if you love to learn," Brown said. "You know, you get to know your professors and you’re not just one out of 1,000."
Brown’s return is fueled by a deep-seated passion for the university’s unique history. In 2011, she began a massive project to digitize the university’s archives using Amazon’s cloud services. During her retirement in New York, she continued this work remotely, painstakingly transferring that data to PastPerfect, a specialized museum and archival software.
Upon the completion of the data transfer, Brown decided to return to Chickasha, citing a longing for the Oklahoma plains despite her fondness for New York’s history.
With her return, Brown has set an ambitious agenda for the Nash Library, focused on both modernization and student engagement:
- Expanded Digitization: Brown plans to continue improving the archives, ensuring the university’s journey from a women’s college to its current Interdisciplinary Studies curriculum is preserved and accessible.
- Library Internship Program: A new initiative aimed at providing students with hands-on experience in archival science and information management.
- Stakeholder Focus Groups: Brown will initiate focus groups with students and faculty to determine the modern needs of the campus community and identify the most effective leadership strategies for the library.
Brown’s career in library science spans over three decades. She began as a librarian at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1992 and earned her degree from Emporia State University in 1995. Her extensive experience in both academic and corporate research environments provides her with a unique perspective on the evolving role of the library in the 21st century.
"One of the most unique things USAO has is the pathway that led the women’s college to the IDS curriculum we have today," said Brown. "I am genuinely committed to making sure that history is taken care of."
About USAO:
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is Oklahoma’s only public liberal arts college. Located in Chickasha, USAO is a distinctive institution offering a challenging interdisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. With a focus on broad-based education and civic responsibility, USAO prepares students to become well-rounded, adaptable leaders ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world.
Contact: Hannah Thompson | 405-574-1362