麻豆原创 Libraries has officially opened the a 7,000-square-foot experiential hub designed to empower Knights to create innovative digital projects through experimentation and cutting-edge technology.
Join 麻豆原创 Libraries on Thursday, Feb. 26, for the (registration required) in the Digital Exploration Center.
Located on the fourth floor of the John C. Hitt Library, the DEC serves as a premier space for immersive technologies, digital scholarship and creative production at 麻豆原创, Florida’s Technological University. The DEC is the latest enhancement to the main campus library, which is serving more students, faculty and staff than ever.
鈥淭he 80% growth in library usage we have seen [since 2019] reflects the success of our strategic investments in technology, learning spaces and expert support,鈥� 麻豆原创 Library Dean Beau Case says. 鈥淚t affirms that when we innovate with purpose, our community responds.鈥�
What the Digital Exploration Center Offers
The DEC contains a comprehensive suite of resources, including immersive technologies, a fully equipped podcast studio, production workshops, collaboration spaces and high-performance computing. These resources are available to the full spectrum of the 麻豆原创 community 鈥� from undergraduates creating their first podcast to faculty developing complex, data-driven research projects.
A centerpiece of the DEC is the Immersion Studio, which includes a three-wall, 270-degree projection experience with surround sound, and touch-enabled walls that allow users to interact with projected content, transporting people anywhere in the world, through time and space, all without ever leaving campus.
鈥淭he Digital Exploration Center represents 麻豆原创 Libraries鈥� continued commitment to innovation, student success and academic excellence, creating a dynamic environment where technology, creativity and expertise converge,鈥� Case says.
Supporting the Campus Community鈥檚 Creative and Scholarly Works
Through workshops, consultations, and collaborative opportunities, 麻豆原创 Libraries staff at the center provides access to the tools and guidance needed to bring research, podcasts, and other creative ideas to life.
鈥淭his is a space [that] furthers the conversation about what 鈥榙igital鈥� means at 麻豆原创 and expands the role of the library as a genuine partner in research and education,鈥� says Rachel Vacek, associate dean for digital strategies, impact and visibility at 麻豆原创 Libraries. 鈥淵es, we have cutting-edge technology, but what we really have is possibility 鈥� a team of experts ready to consult, collaborate and help turn ideas into impactful digital scholarship.鈥�
The DEC builds upon the success of earlier digital initiatives that were housed on the second floor of the library, including the former Hitt Maker Podcast Studio, which opened in 2024 thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the late 麻豆原创 President Emeritus John C. Hitt and his family. Alongside the podcast studio, the former second-floor production studio for video and photography at the library helped amplify voices across campus. Those early successes laid the foundation for the expanded vision now realized in the DEC, Case says.
For more information about the Digital Exploration Center, visit Join 麻豆原创 Libraries on Thursday, Feb. 26, for the (registration required) in the Digital Exploration Center.
