Building Common Ground - Civic Engagement at CCPL

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

Chesterfield County Public Library (CCPL) created a series of programs designed to address the issue of Chesterfield County’s aging population. Programs were designed to promote open dialog between citizens and key figures in local government, and interdepartmental cooperation on issues important to senior citizens. The program was a model of how local government agencies can foster civic engagement in a responsible, productive manner. CCPL received a grant from Building Common Ground, a joint project of the American Library Association and the Fetzger Institute, to carry out the project. Chesterfield County departments worked together to provide a variety of avenues for engagement, allowing citizens to voice their concerns in a direct line to those who are in a position to effect change.