UCF Libraries Unveils Digital Exploration Center for Innovative Research

The University of Central Florida (UCF) Libraries has launched the Digital Exploration Center (DEC), a new 7,000-square-foot hub designed to foster innovative digital projects and research. Officially opened on February 26, 2024, the DEC aims to empower students, faculty, and staff to engage with cutting-edge technology and creative production.

Located on the fourth floor of the John C. Hitt Library, the DEC is a significant addition to UCF’s resources, reflecting a growing demand for technology-based learning environments. According to Beau Case, Dean of UCF Libraries, library usage has surged by 80%, demonstrating the effectiveness of recent investments in technology and collaborative spaces. “When we innovate with purpose, our community responds,” Case stated.

Comprehensive Resources for the UCF Community

The Digital Exploration Center offers a wide array of features, including immersive technologies, a fully equipped podcast studio, and areas for high-performance computing. These resources cater to the diverse needs of the UCF community, from undergraduate students launching their first podcasts to faculty members engaged in complex, data-driven research.

A highlight of the DEC is the Immersion Studio, which features a three-wall, 270-degree projection capability with surround sound. This technology allows users to interact with projected content, creating an immersive experience that can transport them across time and space without leaving the campus.

“The Digital Exploration Center represents UCF Libraries’ ongoing commitment to innovation, student success, and academic excellence,” Case added. “It’s a space where technology, creativity, and expertise converge.”

Enhancing Research and Creative Production

The DEC is not only about technology; it also emphasizes collaboration and support for the UCF community’s creative and scholarly endeavors. Through workshops and consultations, UCF Libraries staff will provide guidance and access to necessary tools, helping to turn research ideas and creative projects into reality.

“This center furthers the conversation about what ‘digital’ means at UCF,” said Rachel Vacek, Associate Dean for Digital Strategies, Impact, and Visibility at UCF Libraries. “We have cutting-edge technology, but what we really offer is the possibility of collaboration with a team of experts ready to help.”

The DEC builds on the success of previous digital initiatives, including the former Hitt Maker Podcast Studio, which opened in 2024, thanks to the generosity of John C. Hitt, the late UCF President Emeritus. These earlier efforts have paved the way for the comprehensive vision now realized in the DEC.

For more information about the Digital Exploration Center, visit the UCF Libraries website at library.ucf.edu/about/departments/digital-scholarship/dec.