Ruth Enlow Library Becomes and Official Choose Civility Affiliate

Daniel L. Buccino, MA, MSW will guest lecture at Ruth Enlow Library's Oakland branch.

The Ruth Enlow Library is planning two events as it announces they are accepted as an official Choose Civility Affiliate. The library will be joining a number of organizations in the country who are engaged in a movement to value diversity within their communities. Choose Civility is a grassroots initiative started by Howard County in 2006 and promotes respect, compassion, empathy, and inclusiveness as essential to quality-of-life.

The initiative was inspired by the book Choosing Civility: The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct by P.M. Forni, the co-founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project. “The Ruth Enlow Library is proud to take part in the ‘Choose Civility’ program,” said Library Director, Thomas Vose.  “Libraries are here to foster new ideas, open dialog, and bring communities together. Open access to information and civic discussion is what makes democracy possible, after all!”

Choose Civility promotes 15 Principles of Civility to guide behavior. Inspired by Dr. Forni’s book, these principles serve as the underpinning of the initiative and include behaviors such as listening, speaking kindly, respecting others’ opinions, being inclusive, accepting and give praise, taking responsibility, and more.  

The library plans to hold two free events this summer as part of its Choose Civility programming. On Friday, June 29, at 3:30 p.m., the Grantsville Library will show the family-friendly movie BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE. Based on the perennial best seller by Newberry Medalist, Kate DiCamillo. The film tells the story of a lonely young girl who adopts an orphaned dog she names Winn-Dixie, for the supermarket where she found him. The bond between the girl and her special companion brings together the people in a small Florida town while healing her own troubled relationship with her father.

On Monday, July 23, at 10:30 a.m., a lecture titled Civility Today, will be hosted by The Oakland Library as a second event. Guest speaker, Daniel L. Buccino, MA, MSW will review centuries of interest in civility as well as persistent complaints about uncivil “others” at home, at work, on the roads, and on the Internet.

Buccino was a founding member with Dr. Forni of the Johns Hopkins Civility Initiative in 1998 and became its director in 2014. He also is Clinical Manager of the Johns Hopkins Broadway Center for Addiction and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Buccino has published, lectured, and consulted widely on issues of psychotherapy outcomes, manners and mental health, the ethics and etiquette of health care, and on civility in health care, the academy, and in the workplace.

“Given recent issues across the country,” Buccino notes. “There is a new urgency to reinforce the power of civility to help us navigate our lives together under the ‘cosmopolitan canopy’ of family, workplace, and community."

He emphasizes that getting along with others is essential for success and for personal well-being. "Too often, we take our relationship styles for granted, especially with those closest to us," He says. Civility can enhance the social skills that are associated with optimal physical and psychological well-being, according to Buccino.

In his talk, he will consider how the Civility Initiative has played a prominent role in the new Civility Movement. Buccino will offer simple strategies for how to reclaim civility as a useful strategy in preventing and managing conflict at home and work.

Along with ongoing programming, the Ruth Enlow Library is promoting Choose Civility with printed materials at each of their branches. There will be suggested books for children, teens, and adults that pair with the initiative.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Choose Civility Initiative

Director Thomas Vose

301-334-3996 x0102

thomas@relib.net

BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE (movie screening)

Friday, June 29 at 3:30PM

Grantsville Library

301-895-5298

rachel@relib.net

LECTURE (RSVP Requested)

Monday, July 23 at 10:30AM

Daniel L. Buccino, MA, MSW

301-334-3996 x0117

events@relib.net