Agenda - 08-18-2009 - 4m - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: August 18, 2009 Action Agenda Item No. ~- - M SUBJECT: Recognition of Rebecca B. Wall Within the New Orange County Main Library DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Naming Report/Request Library Interior Design Plans INFORMATION CONTACT: Lucinda Munger, Director, 245-2528 PURPOSE: To present a report and recommendation acknowledging the contributions of Rebecca B. Wall by recognizing her in a prominent place within the local history area at the new Orange County Main Library. BACKGROUND: In accordance with the recently adopted Orange County Property Naming Policy, the Library Director has presented a proposal to the Interim County Manager that the Board consider naming a designated area housing the local history collection to recognize Rebecca B. Wall. In 1983, the Orange County Library Board was notified that Rebecca B Wall intended to make a sizeable contribution to the Orange County Public Library upon her death. According to the minutes of the January 20, 1983 Orange County Library Board meeting, "Ms. Wall indicated in her last will and testament that in addition to the donation, an area of the library (not necessarily with walls) was to be designated the Rebecca B Wall History Area and for the hand-painted plaque to be on display in this area." On April 23, 1987, the Orange County Public Library received $50,000 from the estate of Rebecca B. Wall. These funds have since been invested in interest bearing accounts for the current amount of $134,485. The new Main Library on West Margaret Lane is scheduled to open in fall 2009 /winter 2010. The current Main Library has a collection of approximately 90,000 items including books, electronic resources, books on CD, audiovisuals and magazines/newspapers to serve the needs of Orange County residents. The collection includes items in the local history room focused on Orange County history and genealogy records. The Main Library on Tryon Street holds this collection in a room with a plaque naming it the Rebecca B. Wall NC History Room. At its meeting on May 5, 2009, the BOCC approved relocating a "core collection" of the NC History Room to the new Main Library. This core collection will be located near the reference desk on the second floor. In addition, researchers will have access to the genealogy computer, the microfiche reader and family historical documents. It is this area in the new main library the Library Director requests the Board consider naming and acknowledging Rebecca B. Wall.