News & Blog

The roads we travel in life are interesting and varied. One of the more complicated aspects happens at the intersection of Religion and Sexuality. Join UCF Libraries and the Religion & Cultural Studies Program for a series of films that examine what happens when religion and sexuality meet from the perspective of three different traditions.

“Undressing Israel: Gay Men in the Promised Land”
Discussion facilitated by Kayla Symonds

Tuesday, September 25
2:30 – 4:30 pm
John C. Hitt Library 223

When many people think of Israel, it is often in terms of modern war or ancient religion. But there is much more to the Jewish state then missiles and prayers. In his debut as a documentary filmmaker, adult-film entrepreneur and political columnist Michael Lucas examines a side of Israel that is too often overlooked: its thriving gay community. Undressing Israel features interviews with a diverse range of local men, including a gay member of Israel’s parliament, a trainer who served openly in the army, a young Arab-Israeli journalist, and a pair of dads raising their kids. Lucas also visits Tel Aviv’s vibrant nightlife scene-and a same-sex wedding-in this guided tour to a country that emerged as a pioneer for gay integration and equality.

“A Jihad for Love”
Discussion facilitated by Dr. Michael Muhammad Knight and Dr. Cyrus Zargar

Tuesday, October 9
2:30 – 4:30 pm
John C. Hitt Library 223

Fourteen centuries after the revelation of the holy Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad, Islam today is the world’s second largest and fastest growing religion. Muslim gay filmmaker Parvez Sharma travels the many worlds of this dynamic faith, discovering the stories of its most unlikely storytellers: lesbian and gay Muslims.

“Fish Out of Water”
Discussion facilitated by Dr. Jeanine Viau

Tuesday, October 30
2:30 – 4:30 pm
John C. Hitt Library 223

Inspired by the experience of coming out as a lesbian to her sorority sisters during her senior year at Vanderbilt, filmmaker Ky Dickens explores the Biblical passages used to condemn homosexuality in this informative yet entertaining documentary. Interweaving whimsical animation with enlightening interviews from both within the lesbian and gay community and as well with theologians from across the country, Fish Out of Water breaks down seven key passages from the Old and New Testaments – from Adam and Eve to Sodom and Gomorrah and the Purity Codes – while confronting the debate over translation and historical context that affect today’s interpretations of the Bible.

Intermittent noise will continue in the John C. Hitt Library, but a new source of noise is just starting.   From now until the start of October, Monday through Friday, between 5:00 p.m. and closing, bricks will be “popped off” the back of the library building (“Student Union side”). It may be noisy with drilling and banging or popping sounds as bricks come off.

The contractors doing the work will be suspended from a basket attached to a boom to do the brick removal above the sloped windows.

The ingest of books into the Automated Retrieval Center (ARC) will continue, with carts of books traveling to the ARC on the 2nd (main) floor.

Thank you for your patience!  Ear plugs are available at the Circulation Desk.

Friday, September 21 is another exciting gameday for the UCF Knights.  Although classes will end, and most of campus will close at 2.30 p.m., the John C. Hitt Library will remain open until 5.00 p.m., giving students a chance to get a head start on research, reading, writing and homework before the weekend begins.

Kickoff against Lane Kiffin’s Florida Atlantic University Owls is scheduled for 7.00 p.m.  Come on over for a little bit of study before you tailgate, see the Knights’ outstanding marching band, and head to Spectrum Stadium for a memorable Friday night.  Then it’s Knights under the lights!

Go Knights!  Beat the Owls! Charge on!

The Rosen Library’s Fall exhibit, Yesterday’s World: Documenting the Walt Disney World Parks, 1969-2004, shines a spotlight on the history of the theme parks that put Orlando on the map!

Featuring materials from the UCF Libraries’ Special Collections & University Archives, the exhibit includes:

• Early planning documents and promotional materials
• Park maps and show schedules from the 1980s and 1990s
• Cast member training materials and newsletters
• Vintage tickets, attraction coupons, souvenirs, and more!

Books on Disney World history and lore are also displayed on top of the exhibit case, and these books can be checked out for more information.

Special thanks to David Benjamin, Head of Special Collections & University Archives (SCUA) at UCF Libraries, for selecting and installing the materials. For more about SCUA, visit the SCUA website.

The exhibit will on display through Fall 2018.  Check it out!

Hispanic Heritage Month, established in 1988, runs from September 15 through October 15. It recognizes and celebrates the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans have made to the United States. Florida in particular has a strong Hispanic legacy including the oldest inhabited city in the U.S., St. Augustine, which was founded in 1565 by the Spanish. Later this fall, UCF will celebrate our new status as a Hispanic-serving institution which means more than 25% of our enrolled students identify as Hispanic.

Join the UCF Libraries as we celebrate our favorite Hispanic authors and books. Click on the link below to see the full list, descriptions, and catalog links for the featured Hispanic Heritage Month titles suggested by UCF Library employees. These 16 books plus many more are also on display on the 2nd (main) floor of the John C. Hitt Library next to the bank of two elevators.

Featured Bookshelf: Hispanic Heritage Month