From the DLA Archives

The discussion of civility will reflect our nation's current social and economical situations. It will emphasize the increased importance of good manners in these times. Dr. Forni will also tie these topics to libraries as sites of civic engagement and library staff as facilitators of civil exchanges whenever appropriate.

Dr. P.M. Forni, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, co-founded the Johns Hopkins Civility Project 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.

Dr. Forni is the author of two books:

Choosing Civility: The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Conduct

The Civility Solution: What to Do When People Are Rude

Return to 2009 Conference home page