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Committee Considers Library Naming Issue

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By KENNETH KNIGHT

kknight@tampatrib.com

Published: November 19, 2008

NEW TAMPA - A community effort to add civic activist Carol Poland's name to the New Tampa Regional Library grows 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 library to speak on her behalf Nov. 6.

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

Poland organized the first neighborhood crime watch in Hunter's Green, where Holder lived when he served as police chief.

The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library board's policies and bylaws committee listened to about a dozen speakers at the hearing regarding a proposal to rename the 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 library at 10001 Cross Creek Blvd.

The New Tampa Community Council contacted the 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 Jeri Zelinski, who is considered instrumental in prodding developers to donate land and petitioning the Hillsborough County Commission to build the facility. She died in 2002.

It is uncommon that residents in the mostly homogenous bedroom community would find themselves at odds with their neighbors over whose name to honor on a well-established public building.

Dick Ray of Hunter's Green, a Poland supporter, recognized the committee's challenge.

"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 addressed the committee.

Mary Ann Yaney, another 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.

Bernadette Storck, president of the Friends of the Library for Hillsborough County, urged the committee to recommend against making any changes. She cautioned the panel not to be swayed by public sentiment alone.

"I'm sure she's a nice lady," Storck said of Poland. "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, similar to Zelinski.

"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 proud of that name."

The eight-member committee will meet at 4 p.m. Dec. 4 to make its recommendation to the board.

The 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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