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Posts Tagged: Exhibits

Graphic in teal background with yellow letters reading 20th annual student book arts exhibition

Twentieth Annual Student Book Arts Competition

All Libraries, Collections, John C. Hitt Library, Special Collections & University Archives Posted: June 2nd, 2026

For two decades, UCF Libraries Special Collections & University Archives has celebrated creativity, innovation, and artistic expression through its annual Student Book Arts Competition. Established by former Special Collections Head Ellen Anderson, the competition invites UCF students to push the boundaries of the book form by creating original, one-of-a-kind artist’s books.

Glass display case in a gallery showing handmade book art, including small sculptural pieces and an open, brightly colored book, with additional display cases and yellow exhibition panels visible in the background.

But what exactly is an artist’s book? More than a book in the traditional sense, an artist’s book is a work of art in its own right—a handcrafted creation that embodies the maker’s unique vision. These works blend a variety of artistic practices, including storytelling, drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and personal text, transforming the a traditional book into an engaging and often unexpected artistic experience.

This year’s exhibition showcases an inspiring range of formats, concepts, and techniques, highlighting the remarkable creativity and talent of UCF students. From innovative structures to compelling narratives and striking visual designs, each piece reflects the vibrant spirit of book arts fostered by Special Collections & University Archives.

All submissions are carefully evaluated by a panel of judges on the basis of content, creativity, design, and craftsmanship. The winning artist’s book will be announced later this month, celebrating excellence in this dynamic and evolving art form.

The exhibit runs from June 1 – 30, 2026 at the John C. Hitt Library 4th Floor Gallery.

To look more in depth at past competitions go to: stars.library.ucf.edu/bookartscompetition

Close-up of a handmade book sculpture resembling white, skeletal rib cage with handwritten text such as “OPEN” and “MY HEART,” arranged on a display surface inside a glass case.

Get to Know Your Library!

All Libraries, John C. Hitt Library Posted: February 10th, 2023

Fifth Floor

Most important thing to know about the fifth floor is that it is for quiet study only. Users should refrain from conversations and silence their phones while studying up here.

Photograph of center section of 'Wisdom Temple', an acrylic painting by Steve Lotz. Features pastel colored plants and geometric shapes above a body of water.

Art

If you pass through the glass doors you’ll see an exhibit space with selections from our Special Collections and University Archives. The current exhibit highlights items about the Citizen’s Bank of Oviedo.

Beyond the exhibit cases you will see a very large acrylic painting titled Wisdom Temple by Steve Lotz. Mr. Lotz became the UCF Art Department’s first chairman in 1968 and continued teaching at UCF until his retirement in 2003. You can see more of his work throughout central Florida including the Orlando International Airport and in UCF’s Millican Hall.

Offices

Many library departments are located on the fifth floor including the Administrative offices, Cataloging and Acquisitions, as well as Special Collections and Library Archives.

Seating and Computers

Due to the quiet nature of this floor, you will not find group study rooms or tables here. But you will find a large variety of types of single seating configurations as well as computers and outlets. The large glass windows also give patrons a panoramic view of the campus while they choose a seat to enjoy a good fun read, review class notes, or research our databases on a computer.

Photo of white tables with glass partitions against a backdrop of a long glass window on the 5th floor of the John C Hitt Library.

Restrooms

There is one set of men’s and women’s restrooms on this floor which can be reached from the study area by walking through the glass doors, past the exhibit cases, and making a left down the hallway.

Get to Know Your Library!

John C. Hitt Library Posted: January 20th, 2023

Second Floor

This is the main floor of the Hitt Library. Users can enter and exit the library either from the side facing the fountain or from the side facing the student union.

Service Desks

There are three public service desks on this floor.

Circulation Desk is located by the student union entrance and is where you will go to check out books, course reserves, and study room keys. Search our catalog for any books you might need here. https://library.ucf.edu/find/books/

LibTech Desk is located by the fountain side entrance and is where you will go to check out and return tech items such as laptops, calculators, cameras, charging cords,etc. You can browse the items available here https://library.ucf.edu/technology-lending/

Research and Information Desk is located in the middle of the floor and is where you can meet with a librarian to ask research questions. Nothing beats in person help, but our research guides can be a great starting point for your project. https://guides.ucf.edu/homepage

Restrooms

There are 2 locations; note the restrooms nearest the Circulation Desk have baby changing stations. The other set of restrooms are up the small set of stairs next to the Knight Reads bookcase in the café. Or you can take the set of three elevators along the brick wall.

Collections

From the browsing books in the Knight Reads section near the café to the New Books shelf by the Circulation Desk, you’ll find plenty of fiction and nonfiction to enjoy.

The reference collection of books is also located on this floor. These books are for in library use only and can not be checked out.

Print Stations

Visit the print zone to print items from one of the library computers or from your laptop. You can also scan or make copies. You can add money to your account using one of the kiosks and your UCF ID card. Or by purchasing a guest card if you are not affiliated with UCF. More information on printing available here https://library.ucf.edu/services/print-copy-scan/.

Photograph of a grey art wall at an angle with paintings filling it up. Closes painting is of a lush green landscape.

Art

Enjoy the latest exhibit on the seventy foot art wall as well as several exhibit cases. Currently a Lunar New Year exhibit is on display until the end of January but visit often to see all of our exhibits throughout the year.

Cafe

Take a break with a cup of coffee or a pastry at the Infusion Cafe and don’t forget a fun read from our Knights Read bookcase conveniently located adjacent to all your caffeinated beverages. Maybe you’ll spot Professor Pegasus on your next visit.

Photograph of a suave gentleprofessor wearing a white horse head mask while drinking a coffee in the Infusion Cafe of the Hitt Library

Seating

Enjoy ample group and single study seating throughout the floor as well as lots of outlets to keep your devices charged.

Instruction

If you have a library instruction session or attend a library event, it might be in one of the rooms on this floor. Rooms 223, 235A, and 235C serve as locations for various library events and workshops.

Offices

Interlibrary Loan offices are also located on this floor. Please be sure to wait until you receive an email confirmation that your item is ready before coming to campus to pick it up as well as information on where in the library to get it. More information about Interlibrary Loan can be found here https://library.ucf.edu/services/borrowing-from-other-libraries/.

That’s it for this week. Join us next week for another look at your library!

Get to Know Your Library!

All Libraries, John C. Hitt Library Posted: January 13th, 2023

Join us each week this semester to learn about your library. First up we will detail which services and resources are available on each floor of the John C Hitt Library located on the Orlando campus, starting with the first floor.

First Floor

The first floor is partially underground so there are no public exits and one must go upstairs to the second floor to enter or exit the building. Most of the first floor has been recently refurbished and houses many collections and resources. For an online map of this floor, visit https://library.ucf.edu/maps/.

Documents

Our United State Government, Patents, Trademarks, and Florida State documents are located here as well as microfiche. We have quite the variety of colorful items in this collection such as this guide to the Grand Canyon. https://guides.ucf.edu/govt

Maps

We have SO many large maps and atlases to browse through. Also check out the last wooden card catalog still in use in the library. It houses the same information about our older documents collection as our online catalog has but on cute little paper cards.

Instruction Rooms

If your class has a library instruction session, it is likely to be in one of these rooms. Instructors should visit our faculty services page to schedule a library instruction session. https://library.ucf.edu/services/services-for-faculty/.

Study Rooms

There are group study rooms available for reservation on the first floor. To reserve a study room, please visit https://library.ucf.edu/services/study-rooms/.

Photo of a classroom featuring blue and green plastic chairs at computer tables.

Colorful painting of a woman with dark hair and an orange dress across a two page spread in a book.

Oversized

So many giant books with gorgeous art prints, photographs of space, along with many other interesting finds.

Audio

Recordings of audio books, music, and comedy shows are available and perfect for upcoming road trips.

Exhibits/Artwork

Topographical Map of the US – A lovely 3d map of the United States can be found near the older elevators for this floor.

Women of NASA – Several women from NASA are highlighted in a small collection showcased on the cabinets in the documents section.

Documents Exhibit Cases – There is a small exhibit area near the middle of the floor that features various government document materials.

Book Jackets – Got a collage project coming up? Check out our FREE collection of colorful book jackets for anyone to freely take and use for their art or just trim and frame for some free wall art in your dorm!

Illustration of a rocket next to Mary Jackson, NASA engineer.

Photo of blue bench seats with outlets on the sides of the seats and a brown table inbtween the seats.

Seating and Outlets

Lots of seating and outlets available to study with your friends and keep your devices charging while you work. Variety of configurations of tables and chairs to accomodate both single and group study.

Service Desks

There are no public service desks on this floor. If you need any assistance, the second floor has multiple help points available including the Circulation Desk, LibTech Desk, and the Research and Information Desk. Or you can contact us via chat, phone, or text on our Ask a Librarian service at https://library.ucf.edu/ask/.

Restrooms

Restrooms are located near the newer section by the study rooms.

Join us next week when we cover what you will find on the second floor of the Hitt Library!

16th Annual Student Book Arts Competition Exhibit

Exhibit: 16th Annual Student Book Arts Competition

Special Collections & University Archives Posted: May 6th, 2022

UCF Libraries’ Special Collections & University Archives is pleased to announce the 16^th Annual Student Book Arts Competition Exhibit. The competition invited UCF and Rollins College students to submit one-of-a-kind artist books. Unlike traditional books, artist books are handmade to reflect personal artistic visions of their creators ranging from narrative storytelling through but not limited to drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, and/or text. The 16^th Annual Student Book Arts Competition Exhibit showcases of all entries created during the 2021-2022 academic calendar year.

Our guest judge for the competition was Nikki Fragala Barnes. Nikki an editor, curator, experimental poet and participatory installation artist, whose practice is collaborative, participatory, and place-based. She is currently the co-leader of the Book Arts Guild of Central Florida.

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