We are excited to let you know that, based on your feedback, we have increased the study room reservation limits to better meet your needs!

• Current Reservation Limits: 2 hours per day, twice per week
• New Reservation Limits: 4 hours per day, every day

This change will give you more flexibility and more chances to reserve a study room. We hope this makes it easier for you to focus on your studies. We would love to hear your thoughts on this update or if you have any other suggestions. Please take a moment to share your feedback through our anonymous survey.

Thank you for helping us improve your study experience!

Fair Use/Fair Dealing Week is an annual celebration of the fair use and fair dealing doctrines in international copyright law and their support of the public good. In the United States, 17 U.S. Code § 107 provides that "use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright."

In celebration of Fair Use/Fair Dealing Week, UNCW Library and UNCW Research & Innovation welcome Dave Hansen, Executive Director of Authors Alliance (authorsalliance.org), for a discussion about AI and its relationship to the fair use exception in U.S. copyright law. All interested parties are welcome regardless of institutional affiliation. Join us on zoom at 1:00pm EST, February 24, 2025 by registering at the link below.

Registration Link

More information: https://libguides.uncw.edu/fairuseweek/2025

UNCW Library will host the 6th Annual African American Read-In on February 18, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the Discovery Hall Events Space (DH1070). This celebration of African American literature promises to be an evening full of powerful readings, food, raffles, and giveaways, with all attendees welcome to join in the festivities.

The African American Read-In aims to amplify the voices of African American and Black authors, fostering an appreciation for their contributions to literature. The event provides a platform for community members to engage with literature that reflects the richness and diversity of the African American experience.

Everyone is invited to attend the event, which will feature community members and students reading excerpts from works by prominent African American authors. Attendees can also look forward to enjoying refreshments, participating in raffles, and taking home giveaways, while supplies last.

This year’s Read-In is expected to bring together students, faculty, staff, and community members to celebrate the vibrant and diverse traditions of African American storytelling. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this uplifting event and contribute to honoring these vital voices in literature.

Those interested in taking part as readers can sign up through a provided Google Form.

The event is a collaboration between several university and community organizations, including the English Department, UNCW Library, Watson College of Education, Upperman Center, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy, and UNCW Black Student Organizations. 

Every year, hundreds of celebrations of the African American Read-In take place across the country and around the world.  These events feature the texts, talks, and discussions by and about Black / African American authors and serve as a way to recognize and amplify their work (source).

Interested in learning the history of African American Read-Ins visit this page from the National Council of Teachers of English.

For information or to view past UNCW African American Read-In events visit the event's webpage. 

Weekly MakerStudio Workshops at UNCW Library Discovery Hall

Get creative at the MakerStudio with hands-on workshops every Tuesday and Wednesday at Library Discovery Hall (Room 1065)! Whether you're looking to master sewing, design your own vinyl decals, or dive into podcasting, there's something for everyone.

Upcoming workshops include:

• 2/4 (4-5pm): Sewing Basics  
• 2/5 (5-6pm): Vinyl Decals  
• 2/11 (4-5pm): Painting Valentines  
• 2/12 (5-6pm): Weaving Friendship Bracelets  
• 2/18 (4-5pm): Stamp Making  
• 2/19 (5-6pm): Stamp Making  
• 2/24 (4-5pm): HTV Pencil Pouches  
• 2/25 (5-6pm): Podcasting  
• 3/11 (4-5pm): Sewing Basics  
• 3/12 (5-6pm): HTV T-Shirts (BYO Shirt)  
• 3/18 (4-5pm): Decal Coasters  
• 3/19 (5-6pm): Podcasting  
• 3/25 (4-5pm): Laser Cutter Demonstration  
• 3/26 (5-6pm): Laser Cutter Demonstration  
• 4/1 (4-5pm): Vinyl Decals  
• 4/2 (5-6pm): Weaving  
• 4/8 (4-5pm): Painting Decorations  
• 4/9 (5-6pm): Sewing Basics  
• 4/15 (4-5pm): HTV T-Shirts (BYO Shirt)  
• 4/16 (5-6pm): Sewing Basics  
• 4/22 (4-5pm): Stamp Making  
• 4/23 (5-6pm): Weaving  

All skill levels welcome—come learn something new!

When: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, Weekly  
Where: MakerStudio, Library Discovery Hall 1065  
 

The Graduate School, UNCW Library, and the University Learning Center are teaming up to offer an Academic Research and Writing Bootcamp on Friday, February 7, 2025 between 8:30am and 4:30pm. 

If you are working on a thesis, dissertation, or any project that involves research and writing, this camp is the place for you! Wherever you are in the writing process, you'll find support here. Join us for a full day of workshops and dedicated writing time with our research and writing consultants. Stay for the whole day or dip in and out as your schedule allows. Virtual and in-person attendance options will be offered, and lunch will be provided to in-person attendees. 

Registration Link

Get ready to unleash your creativity! 

The highly anticipated FlashLIT Writing Contest 2025 starts now! This year's theme is Artificial Intelligence. The writing contest is open to all UNCW students. We invite writers of all genres to craft pieces of 500 words or less within two weeks.

The stakes are high, with cash prizes awarded to the top three winners:

• First Place: $200
• Second Place: $150
• Third Place: $100

Prizes will be applied to winners’ student accounts through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Winners and selected honorable mentions will also have their work published in an anthology.

Adding to the excitement, UNCW art students will create original artwork for all entries, making FlashLIT a vibrant collaboration between writers and artists across campus.

Don’t miss this chance to share your story, win prizes, and see your work published alongside stunning visuals.

FlashLIT Contest Rules

If any of these rules or formatting guidelines are not followed, your submission will be automatically disqualified.

• Must be a UNCW student, currently enrolled.
• 500 words or less.
• Must relate to the theme Artificial Intelligence.  Must mention UNCW Library.
• Submissions due by Friday, February 7th at 5:00 p.m. EST.
• One entry per student.

Formatting Guidelines

• Double spaced, 12 pt., Times New Roman, 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Use one tab to indicate every paragraph indent.
• Section breaks should be notated by (***).
• Turn off all auto-formatting features (such as automatic paragraph indenting, outlining, bullet points).
• Enter only one space after terminal punctuation. If you used two spaces, search/replace to update your file.
• For dashes, use em-dash character with no space on either side, or use two hyphens, and we’ll search and replace the em-dash during typesetting.
• For any special characters or glyphs, such as trademark symbols, accents, or irregular punctuation, please note them by highlighting them in yellow. If you'd like to include a special character or a glyph but you don't know how to set it, please submit a hard copy of your story with specific instructions for the placement and type of special character to be inserted.
• Files should be saved and submitted as follows: lastname_firstname.docx.
• Submit a .docx version of your submission via the form here.

NOTE: Edits and revisions will NOT be allowed after submissions, nor will the publisher have time to check your work.  Take care that your piece is fully edited and perfected before submitting.