Deep into the semester, many students are getting used to the multiple changes around them and on campus.

Whether they are new to the Knight family, or getting ready to leave, the UCF Knights take pride in their academics. Multiple resources have always been available to students and are being constantly updated.

One of the major updates went into affect earlier this semester to prepare for the new academic year. The John C. Hitt Library was equipped with all new resources that included the following:

• New white boards in every study room.
• A variety of iPad, iPhone, phone, and laptop chargers are now available to be checked out for four-hour intervals at the media desk.
• The number of graduate study rooms increased from five to thirteen.
• 12,000+ videos across ten subject areas that will support the humanities, sciences, and social sciences have been added to the collection of streaming videos.
• A new web search program has been installed that is similar to Google setup for all UCF databases to create an easier search system.
• A new “Subject Librarian Service Model” has been initiated to create a more specific search for different categories for students and faculty, and give a more hands-on approach.
• More items have been added to the ‘Special Collection’ section that included information on the Disney World land purchases. Personal papers and memorabilia of Republican Legislator, John L. Ducker, and a new collection of published and unpublished original drawings, sketches and comic strips by Glenn “Marty” Stein were also added.
• A large collection of photographs and documents that display UCFs history were donated by Norman Van Meter’s son, Robert, have been added to the University Archives.
• Videos, memorabilia (including jerseys and cleats), and photographs were also donated by former defensive lineman for the UCF football team in 1979 and 1980, Michael O’ Shaughnessy.
• New computer security software updates for students to gain access have been added. Students are now required to use their NID and NID password to sign in on any UCF computer, including those in the library.

It should also be noted that at the Osceola regional campus now has a full time UCF librarian; as do the other regional campuses of South Lake, Cocoa, Palm Bay, Sanford, Daytona, and Valencia West.

All of these updates and advancements are being used to better the student body and create an overall better study and learning environment for the Knights.