Posted April 21, 2006.

Hanover to Keep Guthrie Name on Public Library

The Hanover (Pa.) Public Service Committee voted 8–2 April 17 to send a motion to the borough council approving the name of its new library as the “Guthrie Memorial Library, Hanover’s Public Library.” The April 26 council motion is almost certain to be approved, according to the April 18 Hanover Evening Sun, because the full council attended the meeting and each council member spoke on the proposal. In addition, workmen began installing the sign on the new building April 20.

The controversy over the library’s naming began after Mayor Maggie Hormel wrote a letter to the Evening Sun in February suggesting that the library name should reflect the city and not its major donor, Louis T. Guthrie. Letters to the newspaper showed that the town was sharply divided on the issue.

Later, eight of the 10 council members agreed to a name that represented both Guthrie and Hanover, a solution the committee has now approved. “Guthrie has already compromised by allowing us to put Hanover’s Public Library [in the name],” Councilwoman Linda Stonesifer said. “We must stick with the agreement. After all, we are what we promised.”

Posted April 21, 2006.