Implementing "Choose Civility," a Community-wide Campaign

Gross, Valerie J.; Lassen, Christie P.; Flynn Giles, Ellen

Implementing "Choose Civility," a Community-wide Campaign

Gross, Valerie J.; Lassen, Christie P.; Flynn Giles, Ellen

URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11213/572

Date: 2012-03-28

Abstract:

Description:

Howard County (Md.) Library System (HCLS) CEO Valerie J. Gross details Choose Civility, an ongoing community-wide initiative that aims to enhance respect, empathy, consideration, and tolerance in Howard County. Nearly 100 Howard County businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, educational institutions actively and passionately support the Choose Civility initiative with more than 65,000 community residents displaying the ubiquitous Choose Civility car magnets. Learn all about the growing movement, the benefits to your library and community, and how to form a Choose Civility Chapter in your area. Valerie is joined by Christie P. Lassen, HCLS’ Director of Public Relations, and Ellen Flynn Giles, a member of the Howard County Board of Education and Friends of Howard County Library Board of Directors. This archived webinar was originally presented March 28, 2012. Recording sold as an on-demand webinar until July 10, 2015. Running time: 1 hour, 4 minutes. Learning Outcomes: At the conclusion of this on-demand webinar, participants will: Have learned the history, background, and principles of Choose Civility; Have learned how to develop partnerships and community support to foster the success of Choose Civility; Comprehend the benefits to any library system taking the lead in such an initiative; Leave with a plan to create and successfully implement a Choose Civility Chapter in their community. Presenters: Valerie J. Gross has served as President and CEO of Howard County Library System (HCLS) for 10 years. A passionate promoter of libraries, she believes the most effective way to convey the value of libraries is to speak in value-enhanced, intuitive terms people understand. Ms. Gross has led the process to reposition HCLS as a major component of education, which has resulted in nearly tripled library visits (1M to 2.6M), the more than doubling of materials borrowed (3M to 7.2M), research assistance interactions exceeding 1.3M annually, and yearly attendance at classes and events totaling 186K—in a county with 282,000 residents. Ms. Gross credits the HCLS Board of Trustees, Howard County Executive, Howard County Council, Maryland State Legislators, Friends of HCLS, philanthropic partners, devoted volunteers, dynamic community, and, most importantly, HCLS’ innovative staff, for repositioning HCLS as one of the nation’s great public library systems (American Libraries, November 2009). Ms. Gross is joined by Christie P. Lassen, HCLS’ director of Public Relations, and Ellen Flynn Giles, a member of the Howard County Board of Education and Friends of Howard County Library Board of Directors.

Show full item record