Work on the 21st Century Library Project is underway. The transformation of the John C. Hitt Library building includes the expansion and complete renovation of all five floors, providing immediate access to library resources, library and technical assistance, and technology. Student needs are at the center of the 21st Century Library design, which promotes collaborative scholarship and individual research and creativity.
The initial phase of the 21st Century Library includes the construction of an Automated Retrieval Center (ARC) for library materials, conversion of the fifth floor to a new quiet study area, more electrical outlets, fire and safety improvements including renovated stairwells and sprinklers throughout the building, accessible restrooms, and upgraded elevators. Future phases will include the construction of a building that connects the ARC to the library building, and a complete renovation of the existing library buildings. More group study rooms, as well as graduate student space, a reading room atop the Automated Retrieval Center, a digital commons, 3,264 seats in varied types for individual and group study, expanded special collections and exhibits area, and a new main entrance on the Student Union side of the building will be completed in future phases of the 21st Century Library project.
Check here for plans, images, and updates on the continuing transformation of the John C. Hitt Library.
The Student Union side of the 3rd floor is now open! This means that the front side of the 3rd floor is now closed for work on the sprinklers. These items are inaccessible: Books with call numbers HT1507- M, Oversize books J-Z, Media and Current Periodicals. Search for the item you would like in the […]
1st & 2nd Floors Restrooms on the 1st and 2nd Floors in the “back half” of the building are closed for renovation. Newly renovated restrooms are open on the 3rd and 4th Floors. 3rd Floor The “back half” of the library is closed on the 3rd floor for the installation of sprinklers. Need a book on the shelves […]
1st & 2nd Floors Restrooms on the 1st and 2nd Floors in the “back half” of the building are closed for renovation. Newly renovated restrooms are open on the 3rd and 4th Floors. 4th Floor The “front half” of library is closed on the 4th Floor for the installation of sprinklers. Need a book on shelves QR-Z? Find […]
2nd Floor Java City area closed. Knowledge Commons remains open. Use bank of three elevators to access InterLibrary Loan, Mezzanine Restrooms, and 5th floor (Acquisitions, Administration, Cataloging, Special Collections). Request Knight Reads via the online catalog or at Circulation Services. South stairwell closed on 2nd floor unless in case of emergency. Use elevators or Front, […]
Good news! 98 seats and the newly-remodeled restroom have now opened up on the quiet 4th floor of the John C. Hitt Library. These seats are located next to the windows on the “south” side of the floor. Work continues on the remainder of that half of the floor, which is still covered with a […]
4th floor stacks for call numbers from N to QP, shelved on the “Student Union side” of the floor, may be inaccessible to the average human. But John C. Hitt Library folks are not average humans! With a few key strokes, we can get that book for you. At library.ucf.edu, click on the white “Books/Catalog” […]
When will Phase 1 be completed?
Phase 1 will be completed during Spring Semester 2018.
When will the entire project be completed?
Planning for Phase 2 began in September 2016. A timeline for future phases of planning and work is not yet available. The entire project may take five years.
How is the 21st Century Library project being funded?
The 21st Century Library is being funded by the Capital Improvement Trust Fund (CITF). The Capital Improvement Trust Fund receives fees from students, which are paid as part of tuition.
What is included in future phases of the project?
Future phases include:
• A new main entrance, Student Union side
• 3,264 seats in varied types for individual and group study
• Reading room atop the Automated Retrieval Center
• Digital commons
• An area for graduate students with space for individual and collaborative study, research, and writing
• Expanded special collections and exhibits area
• Open-access stacks with the capacity for 300,000 volumes
Will part or all of the Library close during any Phase?
Library services and resources will remain available throughout the project. Space will be available for study and research in the John C. Hitt Library during all phases of work. Access to some areas of the Library will be restricted at times as the work proceeds, but alternative locations in the library for services and individual and collaborative work will be made available.