AGENDA #9.1
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TO: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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FROM: |
Kathleen Thompson, Library Director |
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SUBJECT: |
Response to a Petition Requesting Recognition for Cornelia Spencer Love |
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DATE: |
June 11, 2007 |
The purpose of this memorandum is to respond to the Chapel Hill Public Library Foundation’s recent petition requesting a permanent library display honoring Cornelia Spencer Love’s contributions to the community.
Cornelia Spencer Love served on the Chapel Hill Public Library Board from 1958 to 1970. In her will, Miss Love established a private trust for the library, the interest from which is distributed quarterly to the Town to enhance library services. Since 1981, the Town has received approximately $1.7 million in revenue from the Love Trust.
Management of the Love Trust transferred to the Library Foundation in 1997. The Foundation continues to provide quarterly Love Trust interest payments to the Town’s Library Gift Fund.
Earlier this year, the Foundation petitioned the Council to recognize Miss Love’s generosity with a permanent display in the library (Attachment 1).
Under the Town’s Naming Public Facilities policy (Attachment 2), the Naming Committee is charged with making recommendations regarding placement of permanent markers or plaques on Town property. It does not specifically address permanent displays for benefactors.
This evening the Council is also reviewing a petition by the Library Foundation to develop a donor recognition policy to guide it as it raises funds for the library.
The Library Foundation has requested a permanent display honoring Miss Love. The current Naming Public Facilities policy addresses a process for considering placement of permanent markers or plaques on Town property and for a living donor to request specific recognition as part of offering a gift to the Town. However, it does not address permanent displays or a process to recognize deceased benefactors.
Miss Love’s contribution to the Town is significant and we believe that it would be appropriate for the Town to publicly recognize her ongoing gift.
If the Council chooses to develop a Town-wide donor recognition policy, we recommend that the Council approve a temporary display for Miss Love and defer its decision on permanent donor displays until such a policy is in place.