HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-18-2009 - 4mORANGE 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microfiche reader and family historical documents.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.
2
The Interim County Manager has reviewed the Naming Report/Request from the Library
Director and refers it to the Board with a recommendation to receive the report and consider
adoption of a resolution as such at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with Board consideration of
naming the designated location within the new main library on W. Margaret Lane. The request
is being made in consideration of and compliance with stipulations in the 1987 bequest from Ms.
Wall's estate that an area of the library be designated recognizing Rebecca B. Wall.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Interim Manager recommends the Board:
1) Receive the Naming Report/Request acknowledging the contributions of Rebecca B.
Wall; and
2) State its intent to consider adopting a resolution designating recognition of Rebecca B.
Wall in a prominent place within the local history area at the new Main Library at its
meeting on September 1, 2009.
0
Acknowledgement and Recognition of Rebecca B. Wall's
contribution to the local history collection
Report regarding designee information:
The Orange County Main Library is scheduled to be open in Fall /Winter 2009.
The Main Library maintains 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 citizens. Part of the collection
includes 1600 items in the local history room, focused on Orange County history
and genealogy records. In the current facility located on Tryon Street, the library
holds this collection in a room with a plaque naming it the Rebecca B. Wall NC
History Room.
In the new main library5 the 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 naming and acknowledging
Rebecca B. Wall.
In 1983, the Orange County Library Board was notified that Rebecca 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)
to be designated the Rebecca Wall History area, and for the hand-painted plaque
to be on display in this area."
Ms. Rebecca Benehan Wall was a resident of Hillsborough and lived in and
owned Heartsease known as Burke-Heartt Home since 1963. She was a
librarian at the Veterans Administration prior to her retirement. Ms Wall was a
member of the St. Matthew's Episcopal Church.
On April 23, 1987, Orange County Public Library received $50,000 from the
estate of Rebecca Wall. These funds have been invested in interest bearing
accounts, which currently amount to $134,485.
In compliance with the conditions of the bequest and in accordance with Orange
County Property Naming Policy, the library respectfully requests that the Board
consider approving the naming of a designated area housing the local history
collection recognizing Rebecca B. Wall.
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