After receiving permission six months ago, the Sloss House Women’s Center library has officially been renamed Wealtha Bevier Library.

According to a recent press release, renaming the library “recognized the contributions made to education, and women in education, by one of the most gifted educators at the high school level in the U.S.”

Wealtha Bevier was born and raised in Ohio, and became a teacher with two degrees from Ohio State University. She later taught biology, physics, chemistry, trigonometry, agricultural chemistry, and physical education for 24 years at Sarasota High School in Sarasota, Fla.

Bevier had more students choose careers in science than any other high school teacher in the U.S., an accomplishment for which she received a National Science Academy award.

The idea to name the Sloss House Women’s Center Library after Bevier came from a former student from Sarasota, Bernie Gerstein. Gerstein taught chemistry at ISU from 1962 to 1992, and accredits Bevier’s influence as a reason he became a science teacher.

“I’d always wanted to thank her,” Gerstein said. He introduced the idea of renaming the library after her while Bevier was still alive. She died in 1993 of Alzheimer’s disease.

On Aug. 26, there was an open house and dedication ceremony at the women’s center for the library’s renaming. More than 100 people attended, including Bevier’s sister, Mary Taylor, from Columbus, Ohio, and her niece, Susan Reddick, from Greensboro, N.C.

The library contains a variety of information, primarily on women’s issues. Lisa Enloe, interim director of the Sloss House Women’s Center, said the library is open to everybody Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Resources include resource files with current articles, educational videos, and over 800 books,” Enloe said.

Most books in the library were acquired from donations by various people. Those interested in making contributions can stop by the Sloss House for more information.