Creating a kinder and better Portland

Public libraries are increasingly being recognized and encouraged to employ to full advantage their ability to offer safe spaces for civil discourse and civic engagement.  To that end, this spring PPL will begin a two year civility and civic engagement initiative that will include public forums addressing issues of broad community interest, drop in opportunities at the Library and a series of smaller community conversations to discuss the aspirations that people have for our City.  The two year effort is funded through a generous grant ($48,000) by the Emanuel & Pauline A. Lerner Foundation of Portland. We are very grateful for their faith in PPL.

As we begin implementing aspects of the project, our Business & Government Team will provide more details and ways that citizens can participate.

In the context of visions for Portland, we are supportive of Mayor Brennan’s effort to “create a kinder community that's inclusive, diverse and has a role for every resident to play.”