LIBRARY: Using Bayard Taylor's name to try to raise money

I received an annual appeal letter the other day from an institution calling itself the "Kennett Public Library." You'll recall that earlier this year, the library board changed its name from the "Bayard Taylor Memorial Library," prompting much outrage from the public (and from this columnist). I still have people coming up to me and saying how upset they are about the change, and some have even said they will refuse to give any money for that reason alone.
The board said they changed the name partly to reflect a forward-looking image instead of looking backward. Nonetheless, in their fundraising letter they mention Bayard Taylor several times, even stating that "A favorite son from the 1800's, local literary Bayard Taylor, would appreciate our efforts."

It seems he's good enough to use in the fundraising letter.

And was your letter personalized? Mine wasn't. I know when I was on the library board, we spent hours writing little personal notes on appeal letters, especially if the recipient was someone we knew and who had donated in the past.
The next library board meeting is Tuesday, September 15, at 7 p.m. at the library. No agenda has yet been posted online, but perhaps they'll discuss (1) their negotiations with the borough of Kennett Square to site the proposed new library on the Weinstein property on East State Street, just a few doors east of the current library, and (2) the results of the board's recently completed feasibility study assessing the likelihood that they'll be able to raise millions of dollars for the new library.