Naming Library Spaces (interim)

Commemorative naming: Assets are named to commemorate or honour an individual or group’s service, leadership, or contributions to the City or to the Library; or to commemorate significant historical sites.

CRPD: Community Relations, Policy Development Committee.

Functional/neighbourhood-based naming: Names that are functionally descriptive of spaces or refer to geographical locations so they are easy to find.

Indigenous language naming: The naming of assets in local Indigenous languages (hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) as determined with one or more of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Philanthropic naming: Naming designed to recognize and thank donors for their financial contributions to the Library.  

VPLF: Vancouver Public Library Foundation.

VPL’s Naming policy supports the implementation of UNDRIP’s Article 13: Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places and persons, as well as Article 11: Indigenous peoples have the right to practise and revitalize their cultural traditions and customs. This includes the right to maintain, protect and develop the past, present and future manifestations of their cultures, such as archaeological and historical sites, artefacts, designs, ceremonies, technologies and visual and performing arts and literature.

VPL will work collaboratively with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations on a process for Indigenous language naming of Library spaces that is consistent with these UNDRIP articles, and provides opportunities to reinforce cultural presence and public awareness of the local Nations and their languages through naming of VPL spaces.

1. Principles

• Naming carries considerable social significance, affecting how people feel about and interact with an asset. Names reflect a community’s values, affect perceptions of history, and communicate what is considered important in a particular time and place.
• Naming reflects VPL’s vision, mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• Naming is applied in a manner which reflects the diversity of Vancouver and the land on which the asset is situated, considering historic and current places, events and peoples. Proposed names should be meaningful to the neighbourhood or area served.
• Naming will seek to support Indigenous language learning and usage.
• Naming is conducted thoughtfully, with due diligence, background research, and community input, where applicable, to ensure all names are consistent with, and strengthen, the reputation of the Library.
• Local Nations, communities and/or other identified stakeholders are included as a part of naming processes as appropriate.

2. Goals of Naming

• To create welcoming, accessible, and inclusive spaces;
• To further VPL’s commitment toward Truth and Reconciliation in supporting the implementation of language and culture rights of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, and honouring the histories and ongoing connections of local Nations in these territories;
• To reflect priorities related to equity, diversity and inclusion;
• To commemorate and honour service, leadership, contributions to the Library/City, or historical events or places;
• To thank and recognize donors and support fundraising efforts; and
• To create a distinct identity or functional description to support wayfinding.

3. General Guidelines

• VPL will apply a combination of Indigenous language, commemorative, philanthropic, and functional names across and within its physical spaces.
• Branches will not be available for philanthropic naming. Naming of Library branches will be reserved for Indigenous language, commemorative and/or functional naming.  
• Indigenous language names will be considered a priority for prominent, highly visible VPL spaces, such as library branches, providing opportunities for public education and awareness building.
• Temporary or leased branch locations will maintain their existing names, with new names being applied to permanent locations.
• Functional names may be considered in combination with Indigenous language or commemorative names for branches, to assist with wayfinding.
• Commemorative names will not recognize individuals who are still living.
• VPL will follow the approach of the City of Vancouver when seeking guidance from local Nations to determine Indigenous language names.
• Naming will not extend beyond the useful life of spaces or facilities.
• The CRPD committee will form a subcommittee to review proposed names and requests for re-naming, and approve its terms of reference.

4. Local Indigenous Naming

• As the City and local Nations naming processes are being developed, VPL will follow the guidance of local Nations in undertaking Indigenous language naming.
• VPL will seek input from local Nations to identify which branches or spaces should be considered for Indigenous language naming, and will work with the local Nations to jointly develop an implementation process for naming these spaces.

5. Philanthropic Naming

• VPL will not engage in naming which creates the impression that the Library endorses a commercial product or a partisan political or ideological position. Names will not include any design trademarks, slogans or logos.
• Donor names will not have prominence over the Vancouver Public Library name and/or logo.
• Depending on the size and nature of the gift, recognition options may include naming of rooms or space within a VPL branch, to be determined in consultation with the donor, the VPLF, and VPL.  
• Naming opportunities do not extend beyond the useful life of the spaces or facilities where they are located, unless otherwise specified in a gift agreement signed by the donor, VPL, and VPLF representatives.
• Naming opportunities for people or organizations are guided by the following:
  • The amount of the gift reflects the perceived value of the space to be named.
  • The name to be used is appropriate for enhancing the image of the Library in the community.

6. Removal and re-naming

• If a donor and/or an individual after which an asset is named is accused of any act, event, or conduct that could bring risk of harm, reputational or otherwise, to the Vancouver Public Library, the Library may in its sole and absolute discretion determine the appropriate process and remedy to address the risk of harm including, without limitation, removing donor recognition, renaming or determining appropriate alternate recognition.
• Proposals for review of existing names may be submitted by any person or group of persons, including the VPL Board and staff, and must be submitted to the Naming Committee in writing.

7. Public Engagement and Community Input

• In the naming of highly visible spaces, such as branches, VPL will engage with the local community to gather input on the significance of names to the neighbourhood and immediate area.
• VPL will design and deploy community consultation approaches that are inclusive, equitable and accessible to ensure that all community members’ voices have the opportunity to be expressed and heard.

All naming of library spaces requires approval of the Chief Librarian & CEO and VPL’s Board.  Staff who convey commitments that are not aligned with this policy, or otherwise fail to comply with this policy, may face disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

• Donor Recognition
• Public Space