LIBRARY: Consultant hired to move things forward

At their Feb. 16 meeting, the Bayard Taylor Library Board, under new leadership, hired a "strategic visioning" consultant, Carl Francis, to help them move forward after a year of controversy.
His immediate assignment will be helping the board to figure out what the library should be called. The prior board tried to change the name from the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library to the Kennett Public Library, causing much criticism from the public and hobbling the board's progress toward building a new library.
Board member Jeff Yetter said the "name question" needs to be settled quickly so that the board can, among other things, publish the library's annual report and print up book bags.
Even though the library's 2016 budget shows a $75,000 deficit, the board agreed to pay Mr. Francis a retainer of $17,500, which will go toward his $225 hourly rate.
(In his report to the board, treasurer Bill McLachlan explained that he hopes to make up the deficit by increasing donations, securing grant money, and shifting cash from the library's investment account.)
Tom Swett, the new library board president, said he had previously worked with Mr. Francis, who is CEO and Chief Strategist of Envisian, in projects involving the Stroud Water Research Center and Chester County's open-space referendum. Mr. Francis helped Easttown Library to build a $7 million building almost 10 years ago.
In his presentation to the Board, Mr. Francis said "a lot of my work centers around difficult situations" involving risks and high stakes. He said the current controversy over the name poses "some real challenges" but if properly handled can lead to an enhanced relationship with the community.
He said he plans to explore "where are we as an organization and where we're going" by gathering and analyzing facts and considering possibilities.
For instance, he said, he was surprised when he walked into the library that there was no indication of who Bayard Taylor was. "We should honor Bayard Taylor," he said. "People should have a sense of who he was."
The Board also welcomed two new members: Loren Pearson, school psychologist for the Kennett district, and Brenda Mercomes, a retired college administrator. Loren was appointed to the Board by Newlin Township (her husband is supervisor Rob Pearson). Brenda was appointed by Kennett Square borough council.
Board member Karen Ammon said she attended a meeting of the Pocopson Township supervisors and reported that they are working on finding a resident to name to the Board. Relations between the library and Pocopson have been strained since the Board rejected Pocopson's previous candidates, saying they didn't have the skills the library needed.
The board meeting was the first to be held in the basement conference room at Liberty Place at Center and State Streets rather than at the library. Mr. Swett changed the monthly meeting time from 7 p.m. to 5 p.m. and then changed the location so as not to disrupt library programs.