Naming Policy

(Adopted by Library Board March 14, 2011. Revised May 16, 2016 and November 17, 2025.)

The purpose of this policy is to define the circumstances in which the St. Louis County Library (the “Library”) may offer naming opportunities for its interior and exterior programming and architectural spaces. 

The Library Board of Trustees has the sole right to name or rename Library facilities, interior and exterior spaces. Typically, the names of community branches are chosen to reflect their geographic location and to identify them with the neighborhoods they primarily serve. No Library facilities, spaces or areas will be named after anyone currently holding an elected office. 

Meeting rooms, reading lounges, study rooms, special use areas, equipment, green spaces, walkways, other interior and exterior spaces, and facilities or a portion of a facility may be named or renamed by the Board to recognize a donor. Appropriate contributions for such naming opportunities will be at the discretion of the Board and will be determined by square footage cost, actual cost of equipment, on-going operating cost, etc., depending on the specific area or item. For contributions toward new construction or significant renovation of an existing building, a substantial gift is defined as at least 10 percent of the total project cost or a number agreed upon by the Board.

Naming must be consistent with the mission of the Library and its reputation as a public entity. Naming as recognition generally lasts for the useful life of the space or facility. However, the Board reserves the right to decline any naming proposals for facilities, spaces, areas and/or programs and to revoke a prior grant of named recognition under this current policy if it is considered to be in the best interests of the Library to do so. The Board also reserves the right to determine whether existing named spaces and areas will be transferred when a facility is replaced or remodeled.

Named recognition confers no property rights or interest on the donor and nothing in this policy shall preclude or prevent the Library Board from modifying, changing, renovating or disposing of any Library facility, asset, space or program.