In a historic vote, the Long Beach City Council approved naming the new north neighborhood library as the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, in a majority vote of 6 to 0.
Ninth District Councilmember Rex Richardson had spearheaded the movement to name the library after the First Lady. Inspired by students from Jordan High School, Richardson put the proposal forward because they felt the library should be named after someone with whom they can identify and who speaks to their issues, according to the councilmember.
“This is a historic day for Long Beach,” Richardson said. “By honoring First Lady Michelle Obama, we have our first library named after a person of color and demonstrated that we are a forward-thinking city that values the opinions of our youth, acknowledges contemporary heroes and embraces diversity.”
The city will issue a formal invitation to the First Lady to visit the new library for a dedication ceremony once construction has been completed. Slated to open later this year, the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library will be the largest neighborhood branch library in the city— at 25,000 square feet with an expanded children’s library, a storytime theater space and community center with spaces for large and small gatherings, according to Richardson’s office.
As the Signal Tribune reported last December, not all local residents were happy with the choice of Obama for the naming.
In a phone interview at that time, Martha Thuente, a 9th-district resident, voiced her concern with the process of choosing a living individual to honor with a building.
“I think the problem with Michelle Obama’s name for the new library is the fact that the history books haven’t been written on her or her husband’s time in office,” she said. Thuente added that there were other local individuals who could have their name on the building and also noted that there will be other opportunities and buildings for Obama in the future, including the main library at the civic center.
Val Lerch, who had served as councilmember for the 9th district, questioned whether the first lady directly contributed to Long Beach.
There is a process the City has to take when choosing a living individual to honor with his or her name on a building. Richardson had stated that he had reached out to neighborhood association leaders, as well as former Councilmember Steven Neal and other community leaders, for their input prior to bringing this item before the Council for consideration. Richardson and Assistant City Manager Tom Modica acknowledged at the Council meeting that Richardson had taken an additional step to reach out for input beyond what was usually done in the naming process.
Lerch’s concerns about the process seemed to be eased, however, after listening to the comments during the council meeting.
“I have decided that Mr. Richardson is actually following the process,” Lerch said.
