USF Libraries COVID-19 Research & Information Fund

The Florida Covid-19 Hub

The last time the United States faced a highly-disruptive pandemic was over 100 years ago, when influenza struck in 1918. Today, with the emergence of COVID-19, researchers, medical professionals, academics and community members alike are in need of data and electronic resources to track cases and stay informed in an effort to flatten the curve and save lives. 

In rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the USF Libraries GIS Unit of the Digital Heritage and Humanities Collections (DHHC) created the Florida COVID-19 Hub, an innovative resource collection that provides up-to-date data and mapping tools for tracking the virus and aggregates news, social media and other related sources of information concerning Florida's response to the pandemic. 

The Florida COVID-19 Hub archives and collects data from important sources such as the Florida Department of Health and provides tools specific to our Greater Tampa Bay area. Data relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, or any emergency disaster, helps to inform discussions, decisions and directions for response. The Hub serves as a platform for documenting the pandemic for ongoing and future needs, research and analyses and creates an archive for reflection into the future. 

The generous $25,000 grant contribution from Truist, as part of their Truist Cares initiative, established the USF Libraries COVID-19 Research & Information Fund — which will support the immediate and long-term technology needs of the Florida COVID-19 Hub. 

Your Impact 

• Support the Hub as a one-stop data shop: Bringing in data, news and information from various resources into one site, the Hub is easily accessible from mobile devices and desktops anywhere in the world. 
• Support USF students: USF students from various disciplines and all academic levels are working on this project with the DHHC team, gaining hands-on experience and helping to provide emergency response information that will save lives. 
• Support our community: Funding to provide software and equipment is needed to update the Hub on a daily basis to ensure data is up-to-date and accurate to best serve our community.
• Support active research: The Hub is a platform used to distribute and visualize data and supports research activities. Our team is collaborating with USF and community health researchers actively engaged in problem solving, pattern and trend analysis and recovery needs. 

Spread The Word

We are counting on your help! Make an even bigger impact by sharing your support of this campaign using the social media tools at the top of the page. 

Need help with your post? Try this message: 

Join me in supporting the USF Libraries Florida COVID-19 Hub, a one-stop Florida COVID-19 resource center that provides data, tools, news and information on the pandemic with a gift of any size at usf.to/hub

Thank you for supporting the USF Libraries so we can better inform, respond and stay safe together!