News & Blog

Welcome to Video Spotlight, a series in which I provide a detailed summary of a UCF Libraries research video for your convenience.  

“Three Steps to Getting Started on Your Research Project” breaks down three important steps to start a research project and complete it on time.

Understand the assignment
– Ex. Due date, document length, amount of sources, and where they have to come from (primary or secondary sources, peer-reviewed journals, etc.)
Create a timeline
– If you are looking for a handy checklist to get you started, UCF Libraries has just what you need: https://guides.ucf.edu/rtt)
Choose your topic
– Identify a balance between what you want to research and what is feasible. You need base-level information in order to identify such a topic, so be sure you are leaving yourself time to investigate various ideas.
– If you are struggling to find a topic, look through your assigned readings. A concept with a solid body of research and resources behind it will be presented as important subjects for you to know in your course.

If you need assistance, UCF has various resources available to you: such as a research consultation with a subject librarian or a visit to the UCF Writing Center. If you’d like to view more videos from UCF Libraries, navigate to https://vimeo.com/ucflibraries

The UCF Libraries does more than just encourage academic passions and support research endeavors; it also sponsors a “Love your Libraries” sticker contest! Continue reading to learn all about the contest, how you can participate, what you can win, and examine some of the past winners’ submissions!

This upcoming spring, UCF Students are invited to submit original designs for the university’s “Love your Libraries” sticker contest!

Entries must be no larger than 4” x 3”, and should be submitted as an image file (TIFF, JPEG, BMP, PNG, or GIF). The library will select one winning design that reflects the library to print and distribute during Finals Week (April 24 – 30, 2024). A winner will be announced through library social media and digital signs in the library. The winner will receive 25 printed stickers and an LED light displaying their design!

The contest closes on March 29th at 5PM.

Here are some rules to keep in mind:
– The contest is for UCF students only.
– One entry per student. If more than one entry is submitted by a student, all the entries by that person will be disqualified.
– Judges reserve the right to not select a winner due to limited submissions, or lack of exceptional submissions.
– Entries with explicit content will not be considered for this contest.
– Images may be subject to approval by UCF Marketing.

Submit your design at https://stars.library.ucf.edu/stickercontest/

Lee Dotson, Digital Initiatives Librarian and manager of STARS (Showcase of Text, Archives, Research & Scholarship), UCF’s institutional digital repository, has been accepted into the prestigious Digital POWRR Peer Assessment Program for the year 2024. POWRR stands for Preserving (digital) Objects with Restricted Resources. This program is sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). 

The Digital POWRR Peer Assessment Program is an exclusive initiative that is designed to empower individuals to address the challenges of preserving digital assets, especially when faced with limited resources. Lee will engage with a cohort in a year-long comprehensive assessment process, collaborating to evaluate and improve digital preservation strategies and practices. Participants will work closely with peers and mentors, conduct an institutional case study, generate a longer peer assessment report, present findings through a final project showcase, and write a white paper that will be published.  
 

Participants also receive a participation stipend as well as a “Technology Start Up” award that can be provisioned towards helping to jump start digital preservation activities. 

Congratulations to Lee on this significant achievement! Her participation in this Program is an investment in both her personal and our organizational growth. The digital preservation skills acquired, coupled with her strengthened network and gained leadership capabilities, will contribute significantly to advancing the digital preservation efforts of the UCF Libraries and facilitate deeper collaboration with Special Collections and University Archives. 

The recent reopening of the third floor of the John C. Hitt Library has been long anticipated by students. In addition to containing new seating, study rooms, and Genesis (a colorful stained glass window you can relax in front of – I highly recommend it), the third floor also contains the Academic Engagement Suite.

What kind of help can you get in the Academic Engagement Suite?
– How to search for articles
– How to locate books
– Help with citations
– Answers to general questions about the library

The suite includes consultation rooms where students, faculty, staff, and the local community can meet in-person for one-on-one appointments with librarians for research assistance. If you’d like to schedule an in-person or virtual research consultation, visit the Appointment page on the Libraries’ Schedule website.

For additional information or questions, please visit the Academic Engagement Suite, located in Room 330 on the third floor of the John C. Hitt Library.

Bridging Ideas and Information: Business Databases for Campus Innovators

If you’re an entrepreneurial student looking to gain a competitive edge, then you won’t want to miss our upcoming series of workshops on business databases. Our workshops are designed to help you navigate the complex world of business research and provide you with the tools you need to succeed. Register for one or more sessions go.ucf.edu/46UuRUa
Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect:

1. Navigating Industry Landscapes: A Deep Dive into Business Databases
January 25, 2024, 12noon – 1pm
Learn how to navigate the complex world of business databases and gain a deeper understanding of industry landscapes.

2. Decoding Company DNA: Advanced Techniques in Company Research
February 29, 2024, 12noon – 1pm
Discover advanced techniques for researching companies

3. Cracking the Market Code: Strategies for Effective Market Research
March 28, 2024, 12noon – 1pm
Learn how to crack the market code and develop effective strategies for market research.

4. Mapping Success: Demographic and Location Research for Entrepreneurs
April 18, 2024, 12noon – 1pm
Gain insights into demographic and location research and learn how to map your way to success.

All workshops will be held in room 170 of the John C Hitt Library and are open to UCF students of all majors.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the world of business research
and take your entrepreneurial skills to the next level!