News & Blog

We are delighted to share some thrilling news with you all! After much anticipation and planning, we are gearing up for a significant transformation within our library. That is right – the Fourth Floor is about to undergo a comprehensive renovation!

Closing for Renovation: June 1st, 2024

Beginning June 1st, 2024, the Fourth Floor will temporarily close its doors to make way for an exciting two-year renovation project. While we understand that this may bring some initial disappointment to those who frequent this space, we assure you that the end result will be well worth the wait.

What Can You Expect?

Picture this: a revitalized Fourth Floor boasting a brand new Tech Studio with podcasting and video shooting studios, more study rooms, new silent study area, and conference rooms designed to elevate your library experience to new heights. From cutting-edge technology upgrades to expanded study spaces, innovative learning zones, and breathtaking design elements – the possibilities are endless!

Temporary Changes

During the renovation period, access to the Fourth Floor will be restricted. However, fear not! The fifth floor silent study will remain fully operational and accessible to all patrons during construction.

Stay Connected

We are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. Be sure to follow us on social media or check our website regularly for updates, sneak peeks, and progress reports on the renovation process. Your support and patience are greatly appreciated as we work diligently to bring our vision for the Fourth Floor to life.

A Future of Possibilities

As we embark on this journey of transformation, we invite you to join us in envisioning the incredible possibilities that lie ahead. Together, we will create a space where knowledge thrives, curiosity is sparked, and lifelong learning flourishes.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. We can not wait to unveil the exciting new chapter in the story of our library!

Information about the Hitt Library’s 4^th Floor renovation (Phase IID) and the deaccessioning work are now available on the 21^st Century Library website. Learn about the underlying principles and goals for the project and see some preliminary diagrams and renderings of the spaces. The renovation includes spaces for individual and group study, meeting and conference rooms, and technology studios for discovery, creation, and research. 

Want to hear more or ask questions about the renovation and deaccessioning work from Library Dean Beau Case? If so, then come to one of the six public forums where there will be a presentation followed by a question-and-answer period. No registration needed, just show up! All events take place in the John C. Hitt Library, Room 402. See this map of campus for directions. 

• Public Fora on Friday, October 6, 2023, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. 
• Public Fora on Friday, October 13, 2023, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.  
• Public Fora on Friday, October 13, 2023, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. 
• Public Fora on Monday, October 16, 2023, 11:00 a.m. – Noon 
• Public Fora on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. 
• Public Fora on Thursday, October 19, 2023, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. 

Questions about these events can be sent to Megan Haught, Executive Assistant to the Dean. 

Welcome to the tenth installment of Diamond’s Hidden Gems, a blog series in which I introduce you to the University of Central Florida’s library services that you may not have known about!

ARC & General Collection

If you’ve been inside the John C. Hitt Library, you’d find it a bit hard to believe that in the north side of the building, there is a room containing nearly 800 thousand volumes of the library’s print collection, placed in bins three stories high, for retrieval by 3 robotic cranes.

Below, I give you everything you need to know about the technology that makes retrieving library materials for student-use quick and easy!

The Automated Retrieval Center (ARC) is the second phase of a multi-year project of library expansion and renovation. Completed in Fall 2020, the existing library building was expanded to connect to the ARC, which created the entrance that faces the Student Union.

The ARC houses the following materials: 

• Call numbers A-M
• Almost 100% of Call numbers PR-PZ and Q-QA76.

A request for items stored in the ARC is initiated normally: by any UCF user directly from the online library catalog. When a request is placed, staff will retrieve items and send out an email when the item is ready.

If you’d like to see the ARC in action, you can get a window-sized peek from the third floor. Viewing windows are located near the Student Union side of the library along the brick wall.

To read more about the ARC, check out the full version of Diamond’s Hidden Gems – ARC in STARS.

Students! The wait is over! Come join UCF Libraries as we “Explore the 3^rd Floor” on Monday, February 27^th. Come check out the 3^rd floor renovations from 10 am to 12 pm. Starting at the glass stairwell, come look for clues and answer questions about the new spaces. The activity will end in the Academic Engagement Suite and ducks will be provided to the first 300 participants.

The 21^st Century Library continues to evolve with Phase IIA, the renovation of the library’s third floor. Demolition, renovation, and inspections will take place on the third floor until projected completion in spring/summer 2023.   

The third floor will remain closed during this phase of the project. Stairwells and elevators are marked with signs and caution tape as a reminder that the floor is not accessible.  

Most third floor materials have been added to the ARC. Media and microforms have moved to the first floor. Current periodicals have moved to the fourth floor. Newspapers and magazines have moved to the second floor by the Circulation Desk.  

Phase IIA design improvements include a Graduate Student Commons, 30 group study rooms, 520 public seats, 36 desktop PC stations, shelving for 35,000 volumes, and an office suite for subject liaison librarians. For more information regarding the project, please visit our 21^st Century Library page.