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"UCF Libraries Celebrates Diversity" image on right of people of different ethnicities and abilities standing on a globe with a starry night background

Diversity Week 2022

UCF Diversity Week is a celebration of our diverse community and an opportunity to explore topics across the broad range of   human identity, experience, and interaction. Diversity Week activities are intended to stimulate our campus and move us to a more inclusive culture. UCF Libraries is hosting a series of events focused on diverse voices from the Libraries’ collections and at UCF.

Diversity Week Events at UCF Libraries:

Start Your Week Stress Free with Coloring
Monday, October 17
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
John C. Hitt Library/Curriculum Materials Center
Downtown Campus Library/Rosen Campus Library

Learning about diversity and inclusion doesn’t need to be stressful. Kick off your 2022 Diversity Week experience with some stress free coloring. Relax near the Circulation Desks at the John C. Hitt Library, Curriculum Material Center (Ed Complex), Rosen Campus Library and Downtown Library (in Dr. Phillips Academic Commons) with crayons and our custom Diversity Week Coloring pages. Shout out to Gaby Gomez for designing the pages!

Graphic Novel Book Club – Pilu of the Woods
Tuesday, October 18
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Zoom

Join UCF Libraries in a engaging discussion about the graphic novelization of Pilu of the Woods by Mai K. Nguyen. Don’t forget to read the book first! The link to an electronic version owned by UCF Libraries will be sent in your registration confirmation.

Register to attend at: Diversity Week Graphic Novel Book Club: Pilu of the Woods

A heartwarming story of friendship, loss, and finding your way home from debut author/illustrator Mai K. Nguyen!

Willow loves the woods near her house. They’re calm and quiet, so different from her own turbulent emotions, which she keeps locked away. When her emotions get the better of her one day, she decides to run away into the woods.

There, she meets Pilu, a lost tree spirit who can’t find her way back home—which turns out to be the magnolia grove Willow’s mom used to take her to. Willow offers to help Pilu, and the two quickly become friends.

But the journey is long, and Pilu isn’t sure she’s ready to return home yet—which infuriates Willow, who’s determined to make up for her own mistakes by getting Pilu back safely. As a storm rages and Willow’s emotions bubble to the surface, they suddenly take on a physical form, putting both girls in danger… and forcing Willow to confront her inner feelings once and for all..

Crochet Your Pride…Flag, with Gaby
Wednesday, October 19
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
John C. Hitt Library 170

Learn to crochet a Pride flag (color options for rainbow, trans pride and UCF pride) as Downtown Library staff member, Gaby, takes you step by step through it live in this workshop.

Note this session is limited to 15 participants. A crochet hook and yarn will be provided. Please sign up using this registration link.

Live film discussion: The Revolution Generation
Wednesday, October 19
7:00 – 8:30 pm
John C. Hitt Library 402

Join UCF Libraries for a Live, in – person film discussion of the 2021 film The Revolution Generation!

The number of Millennials in the United States — those born between approximately 1978 and 2000 — is near 80 million people. They’re the most diverse generation in America, with 56 percent of them registered as politically Independent, and every single one of them will be needed if the planet is to avoid climate catastrophe. In THE REVOLUTION GENERATION, filmmakers Josh Tickell and Rebecca Tickell  spotlight a generation that has been mischaracterized, mislabeled, and mistakenly mocked.

Through interviews and highlighting a theory by authors/generational demographists Neil Howe and William Strauss that history can be viewed as a series of 80-year cycles — and within that, into four “seasons” that bring with them profound societal changes — the film shows the impact of the WWII Generation, Baby Boomers, and Gen X. But Millennials occupy a special spot: They’re creators of social tech and native digital users, are anti-corporate crusaders, are more empathetic than any previous group, and they now have to secure voting rights, equality, and the safety of the planet itself. Can they do it?

A kinetic, perceptive documentary of a generation and why they are who they are, THE REVOLUTION GENERATION is also, as Josh Tickell says, “A how-to manual for saving the earth.”

Open Heart, Open Mic
Thursday, October 20
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
John C. Hitt Library – 402

Experience the creative works of Knights and friends around the world sharing what the Knight community means to them. Walk in presentations are welcome! 

Any original work presented at an Open Heart Open Mic event will be eligible to be listed in STARS KnightVerse. STARS is UCF’s digital repository designed to disseminate, publicize, and share works by, for, and about UCF. KnightVerse is the area within STARS for library related student work. After presenting, see the Open Heart Open Mic host for information about submitting your original work.

Color Your Story bookend decorating
Friday, October 21
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
John C. Hitt Library and Downtown Library

How would you color your story?

Join UCF Libraries at 3 locations to decorate bookends using paint pens, permanent markers, and decoupage as a way to illustrate your truth and lived experiences. Plus you get a great decoration to take home!

Locations:
– On Main Campus, outside the new Student Union facing entrance of the John C. Hitt Library.
– On Downtown Campus, Dr. Philips Academic Commons Library.
– On Rosen Campus, Library room 120F.

Virtual film discussion: Dolores
Friday, October 21
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Zoom

Join UCF Libraries for a virtual discussion of the 2017 film Dolores!

Film description:
Dolores Huerta is among the most important, yet least known, activists in American history. An equal partner in co-founding the first farm workers unions with Cesar Chavez, her enormous contributions have gone largely unrecognized. Dolores tirelessly led the fight for racial and labor justice alongside Chavez, becoming one of the most defiant feminists of the twentieth century – and she continues the fight to this day, at 87. With intimate and unprecedented access to this intensely private mother to eleven, the film reveals the raw, personal stakes involved in committing one’s life to social change.

Please watch Dolores before logging into the discussion session.

Register to attend the virtual discussion of Dolores at: Diversity Week Virtual Film Discussion: Dolores

You can also find film suggestions and puzzles on our guide at guides.ucf.edu/diversityweek

UCF Celebrates diversity at UCF Libraries

Celebrate Diversity with UCF Libraries

Join UCF Libraries as we celebrate diverse voices in the Knight community. A series of events, virtual and in-person, are being offered during the month of October 2021. Register to attend with the links in the event titles. 

Diversity in Comics – virtual discussion 

October 12, 2:00-3:00pm 

Join us as we review various forms of comics and discuss the importance of representation in comics and graphic novels. 

Crochet with Gaby – virtual craft workshop 

October 14, 2:00-3:30pm 

Learn about crochet and get started on a beginner’s project with UCF Libraries’ Gaby Gomez. Don’t forget to pick up your crochet pack at the circulation desk at the John C. Hitt Library, Curriculum Materials Center, or Downtown campus library October 4 – 14 after you register (while supplies last). 

Open Heart, Open Mic – virtual 

October 19, 6:00-7:15pm 

Experience the creative works of Knights and friends around the world sharing what the Knight community means to them. Walk-in presentations are welcome! 

Color Your Story bookend decorating 

October 21, 10:00-11:30am 

outside John C. Hitt entrance and the Downtown Library lobby 

Join UCF Libraries at 2 locations to decorate bookends using paint pens, permanent markers, and decoupage as a way to illustrate your truth and lived experiences. Plus you get a great decoration to take home!  

On Main Campus: outside the new Student Union facing entrance of the John C. Hitt Library.  

On Downtown Campus: in the lobby of the Dr. Philips Academic Commons.  

In the event that in-person activities are not suggested for health and safety reasons, we will have craft packs for bookend decorating available for pick up the week of the event at the Circulation desks in the John C. Hitt Library, Curriculum Materials Center, and Downtown Campus Library (while supplies last). 

Graphic Novel Book Club – Butler’s Kindred, virtual discussion 

October 26, 6:00-7:00pm 

Join UCF Libraries in an engaging discussion about the graphic novelization of Octavia Butler’s Kindred. Don’t forget to read the book first! A link to the UCF Libraries’ electronic version will be available in your registration confirmation. 

For full details and registration links: guides.ucf.edu/diversityweek 

Diversity Week 2020

2020 Diversity Week @ UCF Libraries

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 

Featured Bookshelf: UCF Celebrates Diversity

Featured Bookshelf: UCF Celebrates Diversity

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 4th 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

Knights Stronger Together Digital Time Capsule

UCF Libraries is building a digital time capsule, based on this year’s Diversity Week theme, Stronger Together: Unified! Connected! Family!

In this unprecedented year marked by COVID-19 and the continued fight for racial equity, we ask you to tell your story, share your voice, and be heard. Chronicle your connection to this year’s theme by contributing photographs you have taken, illustrations you have created, or text you have penned. You can influence how the present will be remembered. Share your message.

Submission information:

  • Open to UCF students, faculty, staff, and UCF Alumni. 
  • One submission per person. 
  • Submissions will be digitized and housed in STARS. STARS is UCF’s digital repository to publicize, disseminate, and preserve works by, for, and about UCF.
  • Submissions must be sized 8 ½” X 11” in a landscape orientation.
  • Submissions formats are pdf, jpg, png, or docx.
  • All submissions must be original work(s).
  • Participants must submit a consent form granting permission for their content to be digitized and placed into STARS as part of the Qualtrics form.
  • Submissions will be accepted August 1, 2020 – October 25, 2020.
  • Sexually explicit content will not be accepted, and UCF Libraries reserves the right to omit any submission.
  • All works will be placed into the digital time capsule as received; no editing services will be provided.

Submit at the Knights Stronger Together Digital Time Capsule Qualtrics form.

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