News

Hello, everyone! My name is Diamond Williams; I am a junior double-majoring in Criminal Justice and Writing & Rhetoric. Welcome to 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! 

If you aren’t already familiar with this series, you’ve probably missed out on some advice that could’ve saved you money on textbooks, time locating research articles, energy finding a quiet place to study, and maybe even missed out on an opportunity to publicly present your art. 

To read up on these things (because they are still available, you’re welcome) and stay up-to-date with future postings that will be equally as beneficial, look out for weekly Hidden Gems postings during the Fall and Spring semesters. The series is located in the News section of the UCF Libraries website. 

I also write and post about various UCF Libraries events. If you’d like to read about opportunities to learn more and have fun, you know where to look. 

Starting Monday, August 21st, the HItt Library will feature OverKnight hours from 1 – 6 am Sunday – Thursday nights.

A UCF ID will be REQUIRED to gain entry to the library during these hours which will encompass part of the second floor and will include 150 seats, desktop PCs, restrooms, and a drinking/bottle refill station.

Only the area shown on the map will be accessible during OverKnight Study hours.

No library services such as check outs or research assistance will be available during these extended hours. There are also no printers available.

Patrons are encouraged to visit during regular hours for full library services.

The University of Central Florida Libraries is proud to announce that Sarah Rasmussen ‘22 is the 2023 recipient of the June S. Stillman Memorial Endowed Scholarship.

Ms. Rasmussen is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in Secondary Education. She earned her bachelor’s from UCF in 2022 with a major in Secondary Education with an English track and minors in ESOL and English Literature. In addition to working for the Libraries’ Curriculum Materials Center since 2019, Sarah now also teaches tenth grade English at University High School.

Ms. Rasmussen finds “the greatest joys in helping others whether it’s within the perimeters of my teaching career or my job at the library assisting patrons, helping new student workers learn the library responsibilities, or wherever else I am needed by my colleagues.”

In the words of Ms. Rasmussen’s supervisor, Pamela Jaggernauth, “Sarah is an exception[al] candidate for the June Stillman Memorial Scholarship, her dedication to teaching and learning, coupled with her experience working with diverse populations and knowledge of technology, make her a valuable asset in the field of education.”

This is the 24^st awarding of the Stillman scholarship, which is given to a student or staff member of the UCF Libraries. June S. Stillman was one of the first two librarians hired when UCF (then Florida Technological University) opened in 1968. Her impact on students can be seen from a 25^th anniversary survey of the first graduating class, a majority of whom listed her as a key figure from their student days. Stillman received her second master’s degree in English Literature from UCF while working as the Head of Reference Services at the Library. She retired in 1996 and tragically passed away in 1998. Her friends and family established the June S. Stillman Memorial Endowed Scholarship in her honor. She is remembered as a consummate professional, the epitome of gentility and compassion, and a proponent of lifelong learning.

Everyone needs some end of the summer fun before getting back into the grind of a new school year. Listen along with UCF Libraries as we get our groove on with the 2023 Picnic Party playlist.

A side

• “Graveyard Girl” by M83
  • A different kind of picnic.
• “Permission to Dance” by BTS
  • you don’t have to be good to dance along with it and it’s happy and hopeful.
• “Summertime” by The Cars
  • it’s the CARS!
• “A Beautiful Morning” by The Rascals
• “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler
• “Hi Ren” by Ren
  • – Katie
• “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson
  • Great chill song to enjoy a summer evening to. – Cindy
• “Ant Music” by Adam and the Ants
  • It is fun and catchy, and can’t have a picnic without the ants
• “Strawberry Letter 23” by The Brothers Johnson
  • it’s a fun summer song that keeps the vibe groovy – Evan
• “Before I Go” by Maze & Frankie Beverly
• “Wild, Wild Party in the Loquat Tree” by the Indigo Girls
  • Chatter chirp squeak buzz
• “The Sound of Sunshine Going Down” by Michael Franti
  • Park picnic 🙂 – Martha
• “Spill the Wine” by War
  • It is self evident that both of my suggestions are awesome songs.
• “Grazing in the Grass” by Friends of Distinction
  • I love this song because when you think about it, picnic is just another word for grazing in the grass. – Faye
• “Pyjamarama” by Roxy Music
  • More than More Than This. -Robin
• “Bouncy (K-Hot Chilli Peppers) by Ateez
  • yes, you can blame me for most of the Kpop on the list – Megan
• “Super” by Seventeen
• “Back to Me” by The Rose
• “American Made” by Christian Kane

B Side

• “D’yer Mak’er” by Led Zeppelin
  • First heard on a hot summer day.
• “On the Ground” by Rosé
• “Up on the Roof” by The Drifters
• “Tug of War” by Paul McCartney
  • I listened to it while I was in Nassau in 1980. it says summer to me. – Jamie
• “Heavenly Day” by Patty Griffin
• “Karma Chameleon” by Culture Club
• “I Love My Nails” by Netta
  • – Katie
• “Touch the Sky” by Julie Fowlis
• “Happy Together” by The Turtles
  • Fun, bouncy, and gathering together song
• “Future Lover” by Thee Sacred Souls
  • chill picnic summer vibe next to a body of water. – Evan
• “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire
• “Goodbye (Coconut Dream Compilation)” by WYS
  • Beach picnic 🙂 – Martha
• “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles
• “Library Love Song” by Blaketheman1000 and Juilanna Zachariou
  • “I booked it towards the reference desk” – Robin
• “Starting Over” by Chris Stapleton
• “Fighting” by BSS
• “Charmer” by Stray Kids
• “Down at the Twist and Shout” by Mary Chapin Carpenter

Direct link to the UCF Libraries Picnic Party 2023 playlist

We are happy to announce that the John C. Hitt Library and the Curriculum Materials Center has free activity kits for kids. Whether your little ones need something to do while you study or just want a fun take-home activity, please stop by the Circulation desk at the John C. Hitt Library or the CMC for a kit!

The kits include stickers, crayons, and coloring pages.