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Celebrating 40 Years of Evans Library

Evans Library is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking four decades as a vital center of research and innovation at Florida Tech. Since it opened, Evans Library has evolved to meet the growing needs of students and faculty, now featuring modern study areas, multimedia makerspaces, scholarly support services, and a vast array of print and digital resources. Join the celebration by attending one of our upcoming events, posting a message, making a donation, or visiting and taking advantage of all that Evans Library has to offer!

 

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Evans Library Events

Celebrate our anniversary with us by attending one of our upcoming events. The following programs are free, open to the community, and happening at Evans Library!

DateTimeEvent

Nov. 7, 2024

5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Florida Lore: An Evening with Master Storyteller Dr. Caren Neile

Presented by the Community Foundation of Brevard

Jan. 21, 2025

5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Breaking Barriers Reception

Preceding the annual MLK Commemoration

Feb. 21, 2025

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

10th Annual African-American Read-in

March 26, 2025

3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Event Horizon: The Next 40 Years of Space and Beyond

Ceremony for contest award-winners.

Anniversary Contest

Evans Library invites all current Florida Tech students to enter its 40th anniversary celebration contest, sponsored by the Astronauts Memorial Foundation:

Event Horizon: The Next 40 Years of Space and Beyond

Astronaut Memorial Foundation logoAs we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Evans Library, we look back and realize how much has happened in the library during that time; yet, even more has happened in space exploration in the same four decades. From the opening of the International Space Station to the first commercial space flight to the Mars rovers, the final frontier of space is quickly being settled.

Evans Library and the Astronauts Memorial Foundation would like to know what Florida Tech students think the next 40 years of space exploration will bring. Might we land humans on Mars? Find a way to make space tourism affordable? Discover intelligent life in the universe?

Using Evans Library resources, show and tell us what you think will happen in the next 40 years of space exploration. You can do this using whatever medium or method you would like. The contest opens Nov. 12, 2024 and closes March 1, 2025. For questions, please email Dr. Jason Martin, dean of Evans Library.

For example, you could 3D-print a model of house on Mars, record a podcast about space entrepreneurship, make digital art showing what alien life might look like based on research you've done, or compose a piece of creative writing about space and time. Your options are only limited by your imagination and the bounds of the universe.

Entries will be judged on originality, creativity and your effective use of Evans Library resources.

When your project is complete, you may submit it for evaluation. To do so, you will need the following information:

  • Your student ID/900 number
  • Project title
  • Project medium
  • An explanation of the Evans Library resources you used to complete your project
  • A description of your project that explains how it addresses the contest prompt

The form will also allow you to attach a digital file. If your project is a three-dimensional object, you may attach a photograph of it to the submission form. This will help our judges match your form submission to the correct project.

All three-dimensional/non-digital projects and/or project elements must be dropped off at Evans Library before 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

Submit Project

 

Up to three winners will be selected and offered the opportunity to present their projects at a small ceremony in Evans Library. All winners will receive a tour of the Astronaut Memorial Foundation and Center for Space Education, free tickets to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, a Florida Tech swag bag, and a commemorative award certificate.

History of the Library in Photos

A selection of some of our favorite historical library photos, which take us from the early days of Florida Tech (then known as Brevard Engineering College) through the years of the Bartholomae Library (now known as the Keuper Building), right up until the Evans Library ribbon cutting ceremony of 1985. Also see the exterior of Evans Library as it is today, followed by a glimpse inside its Digital Scholarship Laboratory.

In black and white, a modest building with the words A woman in a dress and pearls with short curly hair shakes hands with founding president Jerry Keuper in his signature bowtie. A caption reads: Founding President Jerry Keuper dedicates teh William August Bartholomae Library (now the Keuper Building) at a BEC podium in front of a crowd of people sitting in plastic chairs in front of the entrance. A large bow wraps the building. Historical yearbook clipping of photos including a picture of the William August Bartholomae Library, which is now the Keuper Building. A picture of Jerry Keuper, a man in a bowtie and suit jacket, at a microphone. An image of a sign that says Images of the Evans Library under construction; a wall-less concrete structure surrounded by palm trees. Library Dedication: A man (Tom Adams, VP of advancement at the time) at a podium with the Florida Tech seal on it stands on a stage in front of the library flanked by university executives in chairs, being observed by a small audience. A historic black and white photo showing a crowd gathered in front of the library following its dedication. With a flourish, Founding President Jerry Keuper cuts a ribbon officially opening Evans Library. The front of Evans Library, a four-story building, with some palm trees. Blue sky with wispy white clouds. Sidewalk and roadway leading up to and pas the library. A student works on a computer with support from library staff in the modern Evans Library Digital Scholarship Laboratory
In black and white, a modest building with the words
In black and white, a modest building with the words "The Brevard Engineering College Technical Library" on it.
A woman in a dress and pearls with short curly hair shakes hands with founding president Jerry Keuper in his signature bowtie. A caption reads:
A woman in a dress and pearls with short curly hair shakes hands with founding president Jerry Keuper in his signature bowtie. A caption reads: "On May 10, 1961, Eileen Hall, formerly a senior librarian at Georgia State, became BEC's first librarian. Hall served as director of the library until 1972 when she was succeeded by Llewellyn L. Henson."
Founding President Jerry Keuper dedicates teh William August Bartholomae Library (now the Keuper Building) at a BEC podium in front of a crowd of people sitting in plastic chairs in front of the entrance. A large bow wraps the building.
Founding President Jerry Keuper dedicates teh William August Bartholomae Library (now the Keuper Building) at a BEC podium in front of a crowd of people sitting in plastic chairs in front of the entrance. A large bow wraps the building.
Historical yearbook clipping of photos including a picture of the William August Bartholomae Library, which is now the Keuper Building.
Historical yearbook clipping of photos including a picture of the William August Bartholomae Library, which is now the Keuper Building.
A picture of Jerry Keuper, a man in a bowtie and suit jacket, at a microphone. An image of a sign that says
A picture of Jerry Keuper, a man in a bowtie and suit jacket, at a microphone. An image of a sign that says "Site of the New Evans Library in memory of Florence S. Evans and Atermisa R Evans to be completed in February 1984." An image of a small model of the library.
Images of the Evans Library under construction; a wall-less concrete structure surrounded by palm trees.
Images of the Evans Library under construction; a wall-less concrete structure surrounded by palm trees.
Library Dedication: A man (Tom Adams, VP of advancement at the time) at a podium with the Florida Tech seal on it stands on a stage in front of the library flanked by university executives in chairs, being observed by a small audience.
Library Dedication: A man (Tom Adams, VP of advancement at the time) at a podium with the Florida Tech seal on it stands on a stage in front of the library flanked by university executives in chairs, being observed by a small audience.
A historic black and white photo showing a crowd gathered in front of the library following its dedication.
A historic black and white photo showing a crowd gathered in front of the library following its dedication.
With a flourish, Founding President Jerry Keuper cuts a ribbon officially opening Evans Library.
With a flourish, Founding President Jerry Keuper cuts a ribbon officially opening Evans Library.
The front of Evans Library, a four-story building, with some palm trees. Blue sky with wispy white clouds. Sidewalk and roadway leading up to and pas the library.
The front of Evans Library, a four-story building, with some palm trees. Blue sky with wispy white clouds. Sidewalk and roadway leading up to and pas the library.
A student works on a computer with support from library staff in the modern Evans Library Digital Scholarship Laboratory
A student works on a computer with support from library staff in the modern Evans Library Digital Scholarship Laboratory

Catch up on your
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Read the Secret History

Evans Library Memories

Evans Library may be brimming with books, periodicals, digital resources, and some of the most comfortable furniture on campus, but it's also filled with countless memories of learning and friendship. Please share your Evans Library memories, anecdotes and happy anniversary wishes with us!

Andy M.

Happy anniversary, Evans Library! I don't have one particular memory to share but I can say that all my Evans Library memories are happy ones. The building is inviting and ecclectic. The resources are vast. The librarians and staff are wonderful. The archives help us know who we are as a university. I love libraries and Evans is no exception!

Ashleigh Bianchi
2024

Multi-Platform Journalism

I enjoy when Evans library has destressing events for final exams such as kitten therapy and dog therapy. I also like looking at the whiteboard by the stairs and seeing what students wrote or draw as it provides insight into the vast diversity among the student population.

Dr. Natalie M. Dorfeld
Soon

Underwater Basketweaving

Happy anniversary, Evans Library. 

Thank you for your friendly staff.  (Good morning, Nancy, Chelsea, and Bill.)

Thank you for fun events.  (Who doesn't love puppies/kittens during the week of finals?)

Thank you for creating wellness.  (Campus needs more plants, yoga, funky art, and hammocks.)

 

Erin Alvarado
2016

Business Admin - Marketing

Happy anniversary, Evans Library! Thank you for the memories of late-night study sessions, team projects, and naps in the 4th-floor hammocks. 

Joy Patterson
2000

Computer Education

In the 1990s, I used the library research guides and perodical collections.  These were actual books and bound journal volumes on the 1st and 4th floors. Now they have been replaced with technology.  

Kevin Boodoosingh
2021

Happy Anniversary, Evans Library! Thank you for providing such a unique and awesome space for learning. During my time as a student, I spent so much time navigating between the 4th and 2nd floors. It was an escape from reality being on the 4th floor, honestly one of my favorite spots on campus. The Evans Library was not just a place to study for me, I made friendships, reevaluated life choices, and learned about myself, and of course, it helped me pass many exams. Absolute love for all who make the Evans Library what it is! (Also, shoutout to anyone who played the piano on the 1st floor, thank you!)

Pete the Panther
1958

Hey there, Panther fans! It's Pete the Panther here, and I just have to share my favorite memory from Evans Library at Florida Tech! One late-night study session, I wandered in to find a group of students collaborating on a big project. They were surrounded by books, snacks, and laughter! It was so heartwarming to see everyone supporting each other and enjoying the space. I joined in for a few high-fives and left feeling pumped about our Panther spirit. Remember, we’re all in this together! Keep up the great work, and don’t forget to take study breaks! #PantherPride

Simon Johnston
1984

Business (MBA) and Systems Management (MSc)

As I recall, the Evans Library was under construction when I arrived at FIT in 1983 at the invitation of my dear friend, Jerry Keuper (without whom there'd be no Florida Tech). I remember being intrigued to learn that the insulation was on the outside of the building rather than on the inside as would be normal over here in Ireland. That way, the fabric of the building didn't get to absorb the heat of the Florida sun. When it opened, one of the luxuries was the availability of desktop Tandy computers, or maybe they were TRS-80s (Trash-80s!), with their 5 1/4" floppy disk drives.

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