News & Blog

Hidden Artists is a group of UCF employees from across departments and campuses who create art outside of their daily jobs. Founded by Judy Bragg Pardo, Hidden Artists have exhibited together since 2008. From painting, drawing, photography, jewelry, and mixed media, the works of these artistic employees are on display at the exhibit wall of the John C. Hitt Library. The exhibit features works from UCF Libraries’ staff Jacqui Johnson, Jess Langone, and Chris Saclolo.

The exhibit runs from August to the end of September:

Hidden Artists Reception
Thursday September 12, 2019 @ 4 – 6 p.m.
UCF John C. Hitt Library. Room 223
Refreshments | Live Music by Zachary Harriott, Carlos Perez, and Jacob Moquin
Open to the public

“Something that is loved is never lost.” 
-Toni Morrison, Beloved

Toni Morrison passed on August 5 at the age of 88. She was an accomplished author, editor and professor as well as the first Black woman to win the Nobel Prize for literature in 1993. She wrote 11 novels, many essays, and several children’s books.

Morrison illuminated a path for black writers across the nation and her works were important to those of us looking for writing about our histories and ourselves.  Much of her stories, though tragic and brutal, were honest, grounded, and filled with love from beginning to end. Her commitment to craft and vision is what made her a force in the American literary tradition and she opened the door for a generation of Black American writers that were at the fringes of American literature. Her rhythms and many layered plots are what made her voice so incredibly distinct and powerful. She never failed to remind readers that history still has a tight grip on lives of Black Americans. Her characters like Pecola Breedlove in The Bluest Eye and Sethe in Beloved were narrative tools that helped bridged the understanding of the intersections of racism, sexism and classism. All of which she handled with grace contended with through her warm, rhythmic prose. Morrison seemed to always be trying something new and refining her rare talents and it goes without saying that without her work, there would be fewer portals to understanding black life as it stands in America.

If you would like to read Toni Morrison’s works or learn about her life and writing, please visit our guide: guides.ucf.edu/reading-lists/tonimorrison

The Summer Knights Reading Challenge ended on August 1, 2019.

247 UCF students, faculty, and staff participated in the challenge.

A total of 550,948 pages were read.

1^st Place: Assortment of UCF goods (courtesy of Barnes & Noble @UCF) was awarded to Brandon T

2^nd Place: Assortment of Starbucks goods, including a gift card (courtesy of Starbucks located at 895 N. Alafaya Trail)  was awarded to Maya Santiago

3^rd Place: Fuzzy’s gift card (courtesy of UCF Libraries) was awarded to Melanie

4^th Place: Lazy Moon gift card (courtesy of Lazy Moon at 11551 University Boulevard) was awarded to TheShenanigator

Thanks to all of the participants in the Summer Knights Reading Challenge!

The 1^st Floor will be closed Monday, August 5 to Sunday, August 26.  The 1st floor (lowest level) of the John C. Hitt Library will be closed for work related to construction of the 21st Century Library project.  2nd (main), 3rd, 4th and 5th floors will remain open.  Assistance with Government Documents can be requested at the Research and Information Desk on 2nd (main) floor.

Dear International Graduate Students,

Please join the UCF Libraries for coffee and conversation to learn how our resources and services support international graduate students and their research. This two‐hour event is designed for new and returning international graduate students.

The program will cover a variety of important topics including resources and services for both online and in‐person support, scholarship and publishing, and research tools.

In addition to learning about the Libraries’ collections that will primarily support your research and teaching, attendees will have an opportunity to connect with subject librarians who are available to provide assistance with resources and questions.

Refreshments will be provided.

To register, please click the following link: http://ucf.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5pCvQcdOdcP3gnr

Where: John C. Hitt Library, Room 223 (main campus)
When: Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 Noon