The UCF Libraries are implementing a new study room booking process for the John C. Hitt Library to better meet student needs. After gathering feedback and analyzing usage patterns, we have made adjustments to ensure fair access to study spaces while addressing concerns about availability.
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The library has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a quiet place to study, reflect, or enjoy a fun read, these spaces are perfect for you! Check out these tranquility tips for activating your calm in the John C. Hitt Library.
Quiet Booths
In our bustling library, we are proud to offer students a portal to peace. As you walked through the building, you may have noticed Quiet Booths strategically placed throughout the library. These sound reducing booths are located across various floors for individual use. The Quiet Booths, offer an opportunity of uninterrupted focus and concentration. Each booth has USB-A and USB-C ports, perfect for charging a personal device. The booths are a perfect pairing of comfort and function providing a great way to study, participate in a short online meeting, or engage in a moment of solitude.
Tip: Quiet Booths are located on floors 1, 3,4, & 5
Silent Study (5th Floor)
Welcome to the highest and quietest floor of the John C. Hitt Library. The 5th Floor, which occupies the half of the building by the Legacy entrance, is where silence blends with concentration and calm to create the perfect study space. Rustling pages, soft key typing, and soft pen strokes make up the soundtrack. The 5th floor houses several ergonomic seating and focus options designed for extended study sessions. The 5th floor is more than just a study space, it is a sanctuary for those seeking serenity in the center of a very busy campus.
Welcome to the highest and quietest floor of the John C. Hitt Library. The 5th Floor, which occupies the half of the building by the Legacy entrance, is where silence blends with concentration and calm to create the perfect study space. Rustling pages, soft key typing, and soft pen strokes make up the soundtrack. The 5th floor houses several ergonomic seating and focus options designed for extended study sessions. The 5th floor is more than just a study space, it is a sanctuary for those seeking serenity in the center of a very busy campus.
Tip: Patrons can access the 5th floor from our Citronaut, Puff, and Vinny stairwells or elevators 1 – 5.
Study Carrels and Earplugs
For those looking for a quiet experience in a busier location, the library offers free earplugs upon request. With earplugs as your truest sidekick, you’ll become comfortable with the ability to transform the busiest floors into your own sanctuary. Floors 1 – 3 offer individual seats and study carrels that paired with earplugs can become a subdued study haven. Earplugs help block out environmental sounds, allowing patrons to focus on their studies without distraction. The activity around you and the sight of your peers also studying often makes a great backdrop to increase motivation and competition of focused work.
Tip: Visitors can request earplugs from any service desk at all of the Libraries.
Study Rooms
Interested in group study? Check out our study spaces available at all branches of UCFLibraries. Room sizes and usage policies vary across locations so check out the most up to date information on our website.
Tip: Study rooms can be reserved in advance.
Welcome to 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 know about!
The end of a college semester marks a period of exam preparation, essay writing and re-writing, and the endless struggle of finding a place to study. I’ve talked to you guys before about ideal study spaces on the University of Central Florida main campus, but it’s about time we hone in on the main library.
Below, read about the study rooms available for reservation in the John C. Hitt Library, in addition to the brand new third floor’s large study rooms. In addition to housing some pretty significant items and departments — government documents, the academic engagement suite, and the general collection — the first, third, and fourth floors of the John C. Hitt Library also contain a variety of study rooms. Equipped with large monitors and whiteboard, from 4-person rooms to rooms that can fit up to 12 people, it’s guaranteed that you will find a study room that suits your needs.
To reserve a John C. Hitt study room, visit the study room website and navigate to the reservation page.
For additional information, comments, questions, or suggestions, Ask Us!
If you’d like to learn more about John C. Hitt Library study rooms and my evaluations of those available on each floor, please visit “Diamond’s Hidden Gems – Library Study Rooms” in STARS!
We are so excited that we can finally share an announcement with our UCF community! Please join us on Monday, February 27, 2023 for the grand opening of your all new third floor at the John C Hitt Library. At 10am, a treasure hunt will be hosted for students to assist them in wayfinding on the floor with a grand prize of a limited-edition duck to the first 300 participants.
We now have 520 all new study seats in a variety of configurations including height-adjustable desks as well as 70 desktop PCs with oversize monitors and 30 group study rooms with varying seating capacities, whiteboards, and big screens, bookable via the Study Rooms icon on the Libraries’ website. Other improvements include generous natural light and improved overhead lighting as well as study-conducive colors and enhanced acoustical treatments.
Patrons can relax under the stars, or at least lights set in an approximation of the Pegasus constellation, while viewing Genesis, a colorful stained glass window created by Leonardo Nierman in 1987.
Improvements here include greatly increased accessible restroom capacity, as well as a family-style bathroom. All new bathrooms include baby changing stations and the women’s and family bathrooms have free tampon/pad dispensers.
Patrons can get a window sized peek into the Automated Retrieval Center or ARC from the third floor. Viewing windows are located near the Student Union facing side of the library along the brick wall and feature a variety of seating nearby.
The reference book collection from the second floor will be relocated to the third floor near room 330. Current periodicals will also be found on this floor as well as an exciting collection of board games and puzzles by room 360. Please note that all items including the reference books, periodicals, board games, and puzzles are for in library use only. None of these items can be checked out and removed from the library building.
A new suite will house librarians and staff from the Libraries’ Academic Engagement department who enhance teaching, learning, and research at the university. This suite includes consultation rooms where students, faculty, staff and the local community can meet in-person for one-on-one appointments with faculty librarians for research assistance. In-person and virtual research consultations are available via the Libraries’ Schedule an Appointment page.
Looking forward to seeing everyone as we explore our latest renovations together on February 27, 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/.
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!
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!