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Library Naming In Hands Of Committee

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By KENNETH KNIGHT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2008

NEW TAMPA – A community effort to add civic activist Carol Poland's name to the New Tampa Regional Library is growing louder.

Friends and supporters of the Hunter's Green resident, including former Tampa Police Chief Bennie Holder, filled the Jeri Zelinzki Community Room at the New Tampa Regional Library to speak on her behalf Nov. 6.

"I know of no better person more deserving than Carol Poland," Holder said.

The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library board's policies & bylaws committee listened to about a dozen speakers at the public hearing regarding a proposal to rename the New Tampa Regional Library. The majority of the speakers urged the committee to name the complex for Poland.

"She is the spirit of New Tampa," said Doug White, who said he has known Poland for 30 years.

The names of two New Tampa civic activists have been submitted to the library board for consideration to replace the moniker of the New Tampa Regional Library at 10001 Cross Creek Blvd.

The New Tampa Community Council contacted the library board in August with its wish to recognize Poland for her contributions to the community.

A month later the Tampa City Council asked that the library be named for the late Jeri Zelinski, who is considered to have been instrumental in prodding developers to donate land and petitioning the Hillsborough County Commission to build it. She died in 2002.

Dick Ray of Hunter's Green, a Poland supporter, said he realized the policies & bylaws committee faces an agonizing decision.

"I find it very unfortunate that you are in this position," Ray said. "I don't envy the position you have to take."

Poland sat quietly, smiling occasionally as each speaker made a presentation to the committee.

Mary Ann Yaney, a Poland supporter, said the sentiment of the community is to add Poland's name to the current moniker, not replace it.

"I don't think you should take the geographic area away, because people should know where the library is located," Yaney said.

At least one speaker urged the bylaws committee to recommend not make any changes.

Bernadette Storck, president of the Friends of the Library for Hillsborough County, cautioned the committee not to be swayed by public sentiment alone.

"I'm sure she's a nice lady," Storck said. "What I haven't heard is what she has done for the library."

Storck said Poland could be recognized in numerous ways at the library, including renaming a library book section or conference room in her honor.

"Find a way to honor this lady as a part of the library, but keep the library named for the overall community," Storck said. "This is the New Tampa library. You should be pride of that name."

The library system's eight-member policies & bylaws committee will meet at 4 p.m. Dec. 4 to make its recommendation to the library board.

The library board will then submit its recommendation to the county commission, which will have the final say.

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 865-4842.

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