Monday, January 07, 2008

The Other Lincoln Library

Interesting online poll question from the SJ-R:

Should the name of Springfield's public library, Lincoln Library, be changed to differentiate it from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library?
I’m not sure where that question came from. May be a story or a reader suggestion? But it has bothered me that folks around here aren’t sure which library you are talking about if you just say “Lincoln Library”. Certainly anyone not from around here would assume the ALPL.
I’d be in favor of changing the public library’s name. Of course, the obvious next question is, change it to what. Do we go with boring ol’ “Springfield Public Library” or do we try to name it after someone. Naming it after someone might be contentious since everyone will have their favorite. Let’s face it, we don’t like any of our public and civic leaders, past or present, in this city. Still, it’s a little more personal to go that route.

And no, we aren’t going to rename the library “The Homeless Shelter”! So get that bit of snark out of your head right now.

2 comments:

Manx said...

They could call it "The Mary Todd Lincoln Library".

That way, they don't even have to remove any letters. Just add a few.

Anonymous said...

I say change the name of the ALPL since there isn't a presidential document in it.