A Cavalcade of Information,
Opportunity, and Reference

by Bernie Fratto
September 2005
 

Of her 25 years in Novi, Library Director Brenda Evans acknowledges there have been a lot of changes. “But one thing that hasn’t changed,” she notes, “ is a strong emphasis on education.”

After growing up in Madison Heights, Evans graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in English.

She then continued her education, earning a Master of Arts Degree in Library Science. That course of study now has a new nomenclature; “Information Science.”

Her goal was to pursue a career in teaching or as a Librarian. As revisionist history shows us, she has parlayed both into a wealth of information and reference to anyone and everyone.

Starting in Dearborn Heights in their school system as a Librarian she soon moved to the Public Library in Inkster in 1977 and continued for two years until a rather seminal event took place.

A new exciting job opened up, because a brand new library was opening up in a burgeoning community called Novi, Michigan. The year was 1979 and Brenda Evans got the job as a Reference Librarian.

Back then, there were only 5 people on the staff, now there are 55! It was an exciting time for Novi, Twelve Oaks Mall was being built, and the population at the time was 20,000. Now, it’s over 55,000!

The population growth makes the library that much more essential. Brenda Evans and her staff go a long way in supporting the infrastructure of education on every school level, including college. “The library provides a vehicle for life-long learning, it doesn’t matter how old you are.

The nice thing about the Novi Public Library, is that it gives everyone access to information, books, the Internet, and a vastly expanding network of information resources. The Novi Public Library also provides computers for public usage and access to Cyberspace. This is important to note, since, “Computer usage has increased 46% in the last 12 months alone,” Evans pointed out.

As the Librarian, Brenda Evans and her staff work tirelessly behind the scenes to investigate the reliability of websites, as well as downloadable information like books, audio books and Educational CD’s. Their research provides guidance and convenience to those that have a need to gather information in particular areas regarding certain subject matter.

In addition, the Library provides a critical community service in that it assists citizens in their job search, resume preparation, and creating printed materials. In addition it is not uncommon to see sales and marketing executives partaking in the media center and production lab. The Library is also a resource for registering on-line for various needs, and tapping into the great expertise of Brenda Evans and her staff.

To that end, Evans oversees a legitimate economic development tool, one that allows everyone a level playing field, as a great many people simply don’t have the resources at their fingertips.

Evans and her staff also offer other beneficial services such as resources on careers, financial planning, health and home ownership.

All in all, the Novi Public Library is an amazing one-stop shop that not only provides a vehicle for higher learning, continued education, and the assistance of a concerned staff with a wealth of expertise.

Brenda Evans has exhibited great care in building, maintaining and growing an incredible resource that all can avail themselves to.

In fact, you can even check out a book if you want to! The one thing that has never changed, is a thirst for education and information, no matter how it’s packaged.

The Novi Public Library links past, present and future, with state-of-the-art technology and old-school bedside manner, thanks to the dedication of Brenda Evans in the last Quarter-Century.