Fumo family branch library retains name

Former Democratic powerbroker Vincent Fumo may be heading to federal prison next month as a convicted felon. But the south Philadelphia public library named after him and his family in 1999 will remain the Fumo Family Branch.

Former Democratic powerbroker Vincent Fumo may be heading to federal prison next month as a convicted felon. But the south Philadelphia public library named after him and his family in 1999 will remain the Fumo Family Branch.

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[audio: 090724splibrary.mp3]

Library spokeswoman Sandy Horrocks says the name honors Fumo for the contributions Fumo and his family made to the city.

Horrocks: We’re certainly not going to make any change. The Fumo family and the Senator had been very generous to the library for many years, and we continue to be appreciative.

Horrocks says Fumo also helped get state funding for several libraries in South Philadelphia.

But the head of the city’s watchdog agency says the library board should reconsider its position. Zack Stalberg is the director of the Committee of Seventy.

Stalberg: Because its apparently not about honoring Vince and family as great individuals, but Vince as someone who would bring cash. And since cash was at the heart of the conviction, to me that’s another reason to rethink the decision to keep that name on the library.

Stalberg says keeping the name sends the wrong message, especially to the children who use the library.