News & Blog

April 11, 2024, 5:45 pm – 8:00 pm

Free bookbinding workshop for students and library patrons:

The Simply Sewn Book: Japanese Stab Binding with Western Materials with David Nees
John C. Hitt Library
UCF Main Campus, Room 170, First Floor

Workshop description:
The tradition of book binding goes back thousands of years, spanning not only time but place as well. This workshop is to introduce the participants to Japanese Stab Binding and creating a book in that tradition with Western materials. The structure is beautiful, simple, and functional.

Class Duration: 2.25 hours

Required Skills: Folding paper, cutting with scissors and X-acto knife.
Some basic materials will be provided; however, participants are encouraged to bring papers and tools (awls  and waxed thread are particularly needed). Copy paper and some cardstock will be available, but you are welcome to bring other papers / cardstock / decorative paper to construct their books and possibly to share.  

Limited to 15 participants.

Free event

Register to RSVP: https://ucf.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_02HIeS1HqIQKkYK

Hosted by Special Collections & University Archives and the Book Arts Guild of Central Florida

Congratulations to Kristine Shrauger for winning the 2023-24 Excellence in Professional Service Award!

This faculty award is to honor a member who demonstrates a record of excellence in service to the University of Central Florida and professional service. Besides contributions to the library profession, Kristine has served on the Faculty Senate for nine years, including several years as the Secretary.

Only one Professional Service Award is available each year for the entire university. We are so proud of Kristine to be the first librarian winning this award!

Congratulations to Lily Dubach who has been selected as the 2023-24 Excellence in Librarianship Award winner! The UCF Excellence Awards honor faculty teaching, research, service and advising achievements across campus each year. Lily has been a librarian at UCF since 2017 and is currently the Textbook Affordability Librarian. In this role, she uses her expertise to help faculty find and use free-to-student course materials to replace costly textbooks, so that every student in class has equal and affordable access to these resources.

Since 2016, UCF faculty have taught over 2,317 classes using library-sourced materials, in turn impacting over 107,072 students and potentially saving them over $7.9 million.

As Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Instructor Vicki Lewis stated in her letter of support for Lily’s award: “Ms. Lily Dubach has been a dedicated UCF employee for many years, and she consistently works tirelessly to serve the institution, its students, and faculty members. The work that she does in her role in the UCF Library system has had a significant impact on my work as an academic instructor and as a result, on my students’ learning.”

Lily’s contributions and work with her colleagues have indeed enhanced teaching and learning at UCF and enriched students’ lives by helping them attain their goals. This award is a solid acknowledgement of her innovation in librarianship and her ability to have an impact here at UCF!

For faculty interested in exploring affordable course materials, please reach out to Lily Dubach, or visit https://library.ucf.edu/textbook-affordability/ to get started. You can also see if your textbook is available as a library eBook by using the eTextbook Check/Request Form. 

“eTextbook Portal” shows you how to identify if your digital textbook is available for free through the library by using the eTextbook Portal.

Click the link to view the video: https://vimeo.com/665607454

To address the evolving needs of students and the increasing demand for streamlined printing, copying, and scanning services, the Print Zone in the John C. Hitt Library has relocated to a more prominent and centralized location on the second floor. This move comes with several significant enhancements aimed at providing a more efficient and user-friendly printing environment. 

Over the past two years, the Print Zone has witnessed a surge in popularity, partly due to the utilization of Student Government print funds across campus since Fall 2021. With the closure of other printing locations on campus, such as the Student Union Computer Lab and All Knight Study areas, the demand for printing services at the Hitt Library has significantly increased. Long lines, insufficient Express Print PCs, inadequate furniture and space for staff to assist students, and not enough printing capacity during peak hours necessitated a better solution.