Jessie and I have made a “home away from home” office at the Columbia East Branch library. You will often find us at the center of our local library’s activity. In fact, while working at the library we became aware of Howard County’s “Choose Civility” initiative, based much on a book by Dr. P.M. Forni of a similar title.
The Howard County library system has been recognized as one the best library services in the country! We agree and love to be there.
However, our libraries, in particular, the East Branch, are challenged by an influx of school-age youths between the hours of, approximately, 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm. A natural gathering spot for those on the way home from school, the population of unsupervised young citizens has been the source of disruption, bad behavior, and, sometimes, conflict.
We are in major support of our community’s youth and young adults being at — and using — the library in a respectful, civil and smart way. To support the desire for library-appropriate conduct, and the county-wide initiative of to “Choose Civility”, we dedicate this site recognizing those who “chose civility” throughout the county.
You can read more about this program at www.choosecivility.org.
