Arlington Public Library has unveiled a new lineup of fall activities, along with a new tagline and a controversial new logo.
A series of lectures throughout the fall include talks from a variety of authors. Events throughout September, which is National Hispanic Heritage Month, include classes, activities, and movies focusing on the history and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
Finally, during “Banned Book Week” at the end of September, the library will host activities spotlighting books that have been challenged in schools, bookstores and libraries.
“Books are change agents,” said Director of Arlington Public Library Diane Kresh on the library website. “They challenge our beliefs and biases, help us learn to think for ourselves, and expose us to different experiences and cultures. I encourage you to commit to reading at least one challenged book this fall.”
All of these events tie in with the library system’s new tagline: “Everyone Has a Story.” Kresh said the tagline highlights the commitment to inclusion and diverse points of view.
But it’s the logo that has people talking. The logo, seen above, is a neon green book with a white ‘X’ in the middle. The logo was designed in-house by the library’s communications team.
“The addition of a bold ‘X’ emphasizes the position of the library as the public commons, an educational and cultural destination for tens of thousands of Arlington residents and library patrons,” said Kresh.
Online, some praised the new look, but for many more the intent of the new logo didn’t land. Of the 13 comments on the library website, nearly all of them centered on the logo and few of them were praising it.
“I’m not sure that an sends the message you are promoting,” said one commenter on the library website. “It looks more like it is signaling the end of books. Yes, X marks the spot, but it also means deletion.”
Reception on Twitter was just as divided.
It's FAB.
— Heather Hurley (@medevam) September 4, 2018
Why is it an X? That seems like a horrible idea for a public library… I don't think of a crossroads when I see an X, I think don't, no, bad, stop, beware, all negative things. pic.twitter.com/b2Jc0Egplk
— Mrs. Hip Librarian (@MrsHipLibrarian) September 5, 2018
The library will use the logo and tagline as they continue outreach efforts for its community oral history program.
Logo via Arlington Public Library