Brace yourself for The Seattle Public Library name change

The Seattle Public Library is considering something so drastic that an outside consultant had to be hired to help.

No, the library is not shutting down or relocating. It is, however, considering a name change. Brace yourself, it’s a bit of a shocker.

“The Seattle Public Library” is considering a name change to “Seattle Public Libraries.” The library is seeking public input on the change that will undoubtedly effect millions of people.

Wait, so a consulting company was hired just to add an “s” to the name?

No, no, KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson explains. The company wasn’t just hired to add an “s,” it was also hired to drop the “The” in the name.

In fact, much more work than that was accomplished by the consultants. It also helped the library determine that it would need to drop a “y” and add an “ie,” before the “s.”

It’s a complicated issue and one Dori completely disagrees with.

“I think that this name change is an affront to God, country and man,” he explains.

The design consultant is being paid $365,000 for its work, The Stranger reports.

But the new name and logo is part of a very important branding initiative currently underway. The goal of the initiative is to “better express our evolving role as we adapt to the changing needs of our fast-growing city and the way people use libraries,” an intro to a public survey reads. Libraries &#8212 not the library &#8212 are more than buildings full of books, the survey says. Furthermore, the library’s initiative will also create a new brand statement.

“Everything going on is a lot to handle,” a Dori Monson Show listener emailed in.

“Seattle knows when a project is beyond their expertise,” the listener wrote. “Hence, they hire a firm and take a poll. Now stop laughing.”

Valid point. A name change is a lot of work.