News & Blog

Welcome to the twelfth 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!

Are you interested in learning a new language? From refreshing your knowledge of French from those classes you took in high school to taking on the challenge of Korean or Igbo, Mango Languages has all of the resources you need to progress!

Below, I give a brief rundown of the content Mango Languages has to offer and maybe how to say a phrase or two in Pirate*!

The UCF Libraries, in collaboration with the Department of Modern Languages, hosts Mango Languages Learning, a database and self-learning software that includes more than 70 languages with lessons that teach real-world conversation skills.

The software can be easily used online on a desktop or as mobile app, making it versatile for students learning on the go. Access is available to all UCF students and employees; simply navigate to the Mango Languages page on UCF Libraries and select “Mango Languages”.

If you’d like to learn more about Mango Languages, please visit Diamond’s Hidden Gems – Mango Languages in STARS!

If you haven’t checked out the Mango Languages art wall, go visit the John C. Hitt library to see some amazing designs. Display your linguistic prowess by flaunting (putting stickers representing) how many languages you know!

*By the way, I haven’t forgotten: “blow me down” is equivalent to “oh my gosh” in Pirate, but to “blow a man down” means to kill him

Need writing assistance while you’re here in the library? Visit the Drop-in Writing Lab; no appointment necessary. Tutors from the University Writing Center will be in room 320 of the John C. Hitt Library to offer assistance and answer questions from 11am-2pm on

• April 5 & 6
• April 12th & 13th
• April 19th & 20th

Welcome to the eleventh 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!

With the end of the Spring 2023 semester right around the corner, finals are much closer than we like to think they are. Preparing for these exams are half the battle, especially when we can’t find peace and quiet at our respective homes, nor can we void ourselves of the distractions of the student union and nearby cafes.

I can help with that! Below, I provide some pretty useful information about my favorite study spaces!

Finding areas that are relatively quiet, conducive to learning, and available is increasingly difficult as the day goes on. Some areas are too loud, some are too hot, and some are just simply too popular, and you can never find a space to sit and work.

The list below is some of my favorite study spaces; fit with desks, computers, and relative quiet (from simple chatter to complete silence), these areas are the perfect places to get some work done on campus.

• The Curriculum Materials Center (CMC) (Ed Complex room 194)
• The 5th Floor of the John C. Hitt Library
• Trevor Colbourn Hall (TCH)
• Classroom Building 1 Computer Lab (Room 101)

If you’d like to learn more about these study spaces, check out Diamond’s Hidden Gems – Study Spaces in STARS!

We are so pleased to announce that the Hitt Library has been repurposed to serve as a recovery tank for marine wildlife to be treated for injuries before being returned to the ocean. UCF Marine Biology professors and students along with external partners will identify injured animals who are good candidates for rehabilitation in our state of the art recovery tanks. And while these animals are our guests, students are welcome to come by to our viewing area to see these majestic creatures before they are returned to their natural habitats.

Now we know what you’re wondering; what about all the books? Not to worry! All the books are now encased in protective water proof sleeves and arranged by their Library of Congress call numbers on the shelf. You just need to don a dive suit and swim out to the appropriate shelf to retrieve your item and bring it to the check out desk. Easy peasy.

Have a poem you’d like to read, a piece of music you’d like to play, or need to practice a speech in front of an audience? Whether it’s a stand-up bit that needs some work or you just have something to say and you need someone to hear it, share what you’d like at Free Knight, Open Mic!

Wednesday April 5, 2023
7pm – 9pm
John C. Hitt Library, Room 402

Guidelines:
• No overtly vulgar, violent, or controversial subject matter.
• Presenters will have up to 10 minutes allotted for setup, presentation, and breakdown.
• Slots are limited – contact as soon as possible for registration.
• Walk ins welcome as time permits – no guarantees.

For more information, please contact
glenford.samuels@ucf.edu See you there!