Choose Civility is an ongoing community-wide initiative, led by Howard County Library, to position Howard County as a model of civility. The project intends to enhance respect, empathy, consideration and tolerance in Howard County.

Howard County Library invites our community to get on the same page by reading and discussing Choosing Civility: The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Conduct by P.M. Forni, founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project, and the inspiration for Howard County’s Choose Civility Project.

Dr. Forni co-founded the Johns Hopkins Civility Project (JHCP) in 1997. An aggregation of academic and community outreach activities, the JHCP aimed at assessing the significance of civility, manners, and politeness in contemporary society. The JHCP has been reconstituted as The Civility Initiative at Johns Hopkins, which Dr. Forni now directs. His book is the basis for this initiative.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Read the book – Borrow a copy of Choosing Civility at any Howard County Library branch.

Read a related book - Check out a list of civility-related books for children and teens. 

Put a car magnet on your vehicle – Get a free car magnet at any Howard County Library branch and put it on your vehicle to encourage your fellow drivers to be more considerate.

Become a partner or sponsor - Call 410.313.7763 for more information.