by Heather Rodriguez-James, Director, Eva B. Dyles Library
On April 6, 2021, during National Library Week, the Eva B. Dykes Library celebrated its “refresh” with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. In attendance were members of the Oakwood University Administration, led by the President, Dr. Leslie N. Pollard, and its vice presidents: Dr. Colwick Wilson, Ms. Sabrina Cotton, Dr. Prudence Pollard, Dr. Karen Benn Marshall, and Dean David Knight; USM President Jordain Thompson, and the library staff. Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church, offered the prayer of dedication.
Built in 1973, under the directorship of Dr. Jannith Lewis, whose time at Oakwood spanned 50 years, the Eva B. Dykes Library quickly became the center of study and research, and a place where many a student worker learned to shelve books, file catalog cards, and acquired great customer service skills. Before the turn of the century, there were some changes made to the lower level, which now houses the Archives, Computer Center, Ellen G. White Research Center, and the Anna Knight Center for Women’s Leadership Center and Museum.
When Paulette Johnson assumed the role of Director of Library Services in 2003, she realized that in this technological, collaboration and innovation-centered time, some changes would have to be made to bring the library to the 21st century. She had a vision of what the library could be and started making plans and applying for grants. Although Mrs. Johnson was not here when her vision was realized, God brought Dr. Ruth Swan back to Oakwood as the library’s Interim Director, from 2019 to 2020, to direct a great work.
With plan in hand, ideas of her own — some fueled by previous library surveys, the approval and allocation of Title III funds from Dr. Colwick Wilson and OU administration; Dr. Handel Fraser, Project Manager, and Ade Adewoye of Brooks Architecture, the library has been “refreshed.” Dr. Fraser reports that the following areas were included in the refresh:
- Remediation or removal of mold in the lower level
- Shaft replacement in the elevator
- Replaced fluorescent lights with LED lighting on the main and mezzanine floors
- Replaced ceiling tiles with special acoustics and design
- Repainted the entire main and mezzanine levels with a color that enhanced the brightness of the library
- Replaced carpet with herringbone pattern on the main floor, and another pattern on the mezzanine level
- Added electrical outlets for users to plug in their devices
- Designed new furniture to create a learning and collaboration space for students
- New pavers at the front of the library with special plumbing below the pavers.
To create the large open spaces, the stacks and shelves were relocated from the main floor to the mezzanine, and the reference and children’s collections were relocated to the northeast side of the main floor. This, with a little help from Two Men and a Truck and Applewhite Movers, was done by the following members of the library staff: Odalys Miranda, Stella Mbyirukira, Evaline Otieno, Elaine Parker and Dr. Barbara Stovall. Our Spring 2021 student workers were assigned the task of shelf reading. President Leslie Poll of the library with special plumbing below the pavers.
President Leslie Poll $5,000,000 renovation of the library is a timely investment in creating an up-to-date space for student research and study. The Eva B. Dykes Library renovation joins the lineup of historic buildings on our campus that have been modernized — Carter Hall, Cunningham Hall, Ford Hall, Cooper Science Complex (Dept. of Biological Sciences), Peterson Hall, Moran Hall, Blake Center, the Dining Hall, the 4920 University Square building — with more to come.”
He concluded “We are getting there — step by step. Our commitment is to make sure that our students experience Oakwood’s best!”
As you enter the refreshed library, you are drawn to the open space, the brightness and ambience of the center that draws you to study, research, or collaborate. You can choose between the individual cubby section on the mezzanine level, or you may want to go to the collaboration/ innovation section where there are movable tables and chairs; or perhaps, you prefer standing (or sitting in the bar chairs) at one of the high semicircular tables. It’s your choice. In addition, we now have new signage, created by graphic designer Ron Pride, that is popping up in various places of the library. No need to worry about overcrowding, because, once proper arrangements have been made with library administration, there is still plenty of space to house rotating departmental displays of student research or artwork. All in all, the Eva B. Dykes Library refresh is outstanding! We are praising God for all who worked to make this refresh possible. Rather than the nickname “Club Eva,” we can now be known as “Hub Eva” — the educational and research hub of our beloved Oakwood University.