Building Community: A New Approach for a New Era
Friday, March 23, 2018, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, 201 ABC
While polarization and the lack of civility are rampant at the national level, libraries can play a critical role in addressing these tensions locally. Examine the principles of civility and how libraries can foster civil discourse and respect for others. Learn how the Choose Civility initiative has strengthened libraries’ roles as community leaders and change agents. Whether rural, suburban, or urban, libraries of any size can join this national movement at no cost.
At the end of this session, participants will:
1: discover how to lead community conversations and engage communities 2: develop strategies to identify and recruit partners 3: learn the benefits to joining this national movement
The session organizer(s) identified this session as appropriate for:
Level 1: People with no previous knowledge of the topic.
This session will have: Medium interaction (example: single speaker/panel with questions or discussion throughout)
Handouts: Download 1
Track: Collaborate
Tags: Marketing/Advocacy, Civic Engagement, Marketing, Partnerships and Collaboration, Public Relations, Social Change
Presenters
Christie Lassen, Director of Communications and Partnerships
Howard County Library System , Ellicott City , MD
Christie Lassen is Howard County Library System's Director of Communications and Partnerships, where she coordinates the national Choose Civility initiative and leads an award-winning PR team. A graduate of Leadership Howard County, she is active in the community, serving on numerous boards and committees. She has more than 20 years' experience in public relations and fundraising, has a marketing degree from Texas A&M University, and served one year in a domestic volunteer program.
Valerie Gross, President & CEO
Howard County Library System , Ellicott City , MD
Valerie J. Gross served as President & CEO of Howard County Library System from 2001 to 2017. An educator and attorney, she developed a 21st century vision for libraries that reclaims the profession's original purpose: Libraries = Education. Gross led the transformation of HCLS to its current standing as a distinguished educational institution, alongside the region's schools, colleges, and universities. For this vision, HCLS received Library Journal's prestigious Library of the Year award in 2013.
Sonya Durney, Information and Research Services Head
Portland Public Library , Portland , ME
As Head of Information and Research Services for Portland Public Library, Sonya Durney's specialties are assisting people with business startups and educating voters through Choose Civility. She holds an MLIS from Simmons College and a Political Science degree from Framingham State University.