News & Blog

Friday, March 12, 2021 | 10 am – 11 am | Virtual Event

The Equal Rights Amendment is still a debated issue in the United States. In its basic form, it would add women to the Constitution. The amendment was first written in 1923 – a few years after women won the right to vote. Decades later, it became a significant issue during the Women’s Liberation Movement. Near its almost ratification, Florida was significant – led by Sen. Lori Wilson. It was an interesting discussion about women’s roles in society. This talk will expose the battle for and against the ERA in Florida. It will also address where the ERA battle is today.
– Kimberly Voss, Professor, Journalism

Event recording on Libraries’ YouTube and STARS Libraries Diversity, Education and Inclusion.

The national celebration of African American History was started by Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-trained historian and the founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, and first celebrated as a weeklong event in February of 1926. After a half century of overwhelming popularity, the event was expanded to a full month in 1976 by President Gerald Ford.

Here at UCF Libraries we believe that knowledge empowers everyone in our community and that recognizing past inequities is the only way to prevent their continuation. This is why our February Featured Bookshelf suggestions range from celebrating outstanding African Americans to works illuminating the effects of systemic racism in our country. We are proud to present our top staff suggested books in honor of Black History Month 2021.

Click on the link below to see the full list, descriptions, and catalog links for the Black History Month titles suggested by UCF Library employees. These books plus many, many more are also on display on the main floor of the John C. Hitt Library near the Research & Information Desk.

Featured Bookshelf: 2021 Black History Month

This November take the time to introduce yourself to breadth and depth of indigenous cultures that have existed on the American continents for thousands of years. 

November in the United States is Native American Heritage Month, also referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. It celebrates the rich history and diversity of America’s indigenous peoples and educates the public about historical and current challenges they face. Native American Heritage Month was first declared by presidential proclamation in 1990 which urged the United States to learn more about their first nations.

Click on the link below to see the full list, descriptions, and catalog links for the featured Native American Heritage titles suggested by UCF Library employees. These books plus many more are also on display in the 4th floor Reading Room of the John C. Hitt Library.

Featured Bookshelf: Native American Heritage

UCF Libraries is offering a full calendar of virtual Diversity Week activities from family friendly crafts to talks by area experts and film discussions. Don’t miss out on our community showcase which features UCF alumni and faculty and how they support the Knight community. We even have digital puzzles and downloadable coloring pages. And you can also add your voice to the 2020 UCF story by participating in our digital time capsule.

Introduction to Bookbinding Workshop
Monday, October 19
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Register: Bookbinding @ Home – Diversity Week 2020

Diversity in Comics
Monday, October 19
3:00 – 4:00 pm
Register: Diversity in Comics – Diversity Week 2020.

Beginner’s Crochet: Show Your Pride with Crochet
Tuesday, October 20
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Register: Beginner’s Crochet: Show Your Pride with Crochet – Diversity Week 2020

Stronger Together Showcase
Tuesday, October 20
2:00 – 3:30 pm
Register: Stronger Together Showcase – Diversity Week 2020

Henna Art with Priya
Tuesday, October 20
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Register at Henna Art by Priya on Zoom

Weaving History: Connecting our Present to our Past
Wednesday, October 21
11:00 – 12:30 pm
Register at Weaving History: Connecting our Present to our Past – Diversity Week 2020

Film Discussion: The Talk: Race in America
Wednesday, October 21
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Register for the discussion at Film Discussion – The Talk: Race in America – Diversity Week 2020

Family Fiber Arts: Pipe Cleaner Crafts
Thursday, October 22
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Register at Family Fiber Arts: Pipe Cleaner Crafts – Diversity Week 2020

Open Heart, Open Mic
Thursday, October 22
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Register: Open Heart Open Mic – Diversity Week 2020

Diverse Families Bookshelf
Friday, October 23
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Register to attend at Diverse Families Bookshelf – Diversity Week 2020

Film Discussion: Don’t Be Nice
Friday, October 23
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Register for the discussion at Film Discussion – Don’t Be Nice – Diversity Week 2020

Knights Stronger Together Digital Time Capsule 

Add your voice to the 2020 UCF story by submitting a landscape 11″ x 8.5″ image or story so you can influence how the present will be remembered.
Full details and submission form at: Submit at the Knights Stronger Together Digital Time Capsule Qualtrics form 

To learn the full details about all of the UCF Libraries Diversity Week events visit: guides.ucf.edu/diversityweek 

Every October UCF celebrates Diversity Week and for 2020 it runs from October 19 – 23. The theme is Stronger Together: Unified! Connected! Family! This highlights how together we can make UCF and the surrounding community stronger and more connected with each other.  

One of the fantastic things about UCF is the wide range of cultures and ethnicities of our students, staff, and faculty. We come from all over. We’re just as proud of where we are from as we are of where we are now and where we will be heading in future.

UCF Libraries is offering a full calendar of virtual Diversity Week activities from family friendly crafts to talks by area experts and film discussions. Don’t miss out on our community showcase which features UCF alumni and faculty and how they support the Knight community. We even have digital puzzles and downloadable coloring pages. And you can also add your voice to the 2020 UCF story by participating in our digital time capsule. To learn about the upcoming events visit: guides.ucf.edu/diversityweek

Join the UCF Libraries as we celebrate diverse voices and subjects with these suggestions. Click on the link below to see the full list, descriptions, and catalog links for the featured UCF Celebrates Diversity titles suggested by UCF Library employees. These and additional books are on display in the new 4^th floor Reading Room.

And thank you to every Knight who works to help others feel accepted and included at UCF!

Featured Bookshelf: UCF Celebrates Diversity