Fellow Listers:

A friend of mine not on the internet asked me to post this question.
Please respond directly to me <[log in to unmask]> and I will pass on
your responses.

My colleague and friend told me that the institution she is currently
working for is contemplating a name change for a variety of reasons.  She
wanted to know what other people in the profession thought of such action.
A little background:  The institution in question has changed its
collecting, exhibiting, and interpretive  philosophy radically in the last
few years.  The programs, events, outreach, have brought more visitors and
really invigorated the institution.  The majority of staff and volunteers,
as well as some board members, feel that the current name of the instution
is limiting and does not truly identify the distinctiveness of the
facility. Yet there is an element of fear of a backlash in the community if
the institution were to change its name.  So what do I tell my friend----be
courageous and forge ahead, or sit tight? Sorry, I cannot give more details
as my friend wishes some degree of annonymity for obvious reasons.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Jay Smith
Executive Director
Reno County Museum
Hutchinson, Kansas