News & Blog

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. 

The UCF Libraries is sponsoring their second “Love your Libraries” sticker contest! UCF Students are invited to submit original design entries no larger than 4” x 3”. Entries should be submitted as an image file (TIFF,JPEG, BMP, PNG, or GIF format).

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!

Contest rules:

• 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 from the contest.
• 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.

Deadline to submit is March 29th at 5pm!

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

As part of its ongoing commitment to providing cutting-edge spaces tailored to the evolving needs of its community, the John C. Hitt Library has unveiled its latest addition: the Hitt Maker Podcast Studio. This innovative space, located on the 2nd floor, is designed to cater to the growing demand for a space for podcast production among UCF students, faculty, and staff, further solidifying the Libraries’ role as a hub for creative exploration and collaboration. 

Equipped with state-of-the-art audio and video recording technology, the Hitt Maker Podcast Studio offers users the opportunity to easily capture both audio and video recordings of their podcasts. With features like the Rodecaster Pro II audio production mixer and the ATEM Mini Pro ISO video mixer, users can effortlessly adjust microphone levels, apply effects, and switch between multiple cameras or HDMI sources for a seamless recording experience. 

The studio can accommodate anywhere from one to four individuals in recordings, and up to seven in the room, making it ideal for group discussions or interviews. Additionally, users can utilize the space for recording voice-overs for video projects, enhancing its versatility. To facilitate smooth operation, the equipment is designed to be controlled by a producer or individual not participating in the podcast, allowing users to focus on their content creation. 

The University of Central Florida places a lot of emphasis on research for faculty and students alike. While the UCF Library has an abundance of resources available for student use, there is an underused research-minded service that many of us can benefit from.

Offered by UCF Librarians, you can sign up for a research consultation. Read on below to figure out what these meetings consist of and how you can sign up for one!

A Research Consultation is a one-on-one appointment with a librarian for extensive, in-depth research assistance.

The most efficient way to set up an appointment is to request a specific subject librarian. Subject librarians are essentially UCF librarians who specialize in a designated discipline, like computer science, nursing, photography, and so much more. These librarians are the most familiar with subject-relevant resources and thus are beneficial in providing instruction support for researchers.

You can schedule a research consultation by navigating to the appointment page and filling out the designated form.

Some things to keep in mind:
– Weekend appointments are not available
– Consultations are generally conducted face-to-face, but distance learners may be accommodated via telephone, online chat, or email.
– Please allow at least 48 hours for requests to be processed
– To accommodate entire classes, request an instruction session here: https://library.ucf.edu/services/instruction/

If you have any questions, feel free to ask for help in person at the Research & Information Desk, or call/chat using the Ask Us service.

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!