by Katie DiSalvo-Thronson

On September 30, Howard County Library System held the Longest Table, an annual event to help people form new relationships, build community, learn, and enjoy themselves in the process. A randomized mix of more than 185 participants enjoyed a facilitated conversation with new friends during dinner. Every year we take a snapshot of one big question. This year, it was: “How do you wish we could learn, grow, or progress as a community?” 

People responded that they want MORE community! They wish they knew more neighbors and saw more people coming together for cultural celebrations or to address a community problem. They said they wished there was a little (or a lot) more empathy out there in the world! 

If you also want to see more community connections in our community, we’d love to hear from you at an upcoming Idea Session. We plan to talk about how the library, community groups, and community members like you might build more community connections in our county: 

1. Virtual Idea Session, Mon October 23, 12 – 1 pm (please register) online.

2. In-person Idea Session, Wed October 25, 7 – 8 pm, HCLS Savage Branch (please register).  

Both sessions cover the same material.

So, what are some of the details we heard in response to, “How do you wish we could learn, grow, or progress as a community?” 

The biggest group of people, about sixty-five, wanted more social ties and connection. For some, this was aspirational: “We need spaces and opportunities to DREAM together,” or “honor the concept of ‘it takes a village’.” Other comments focused on the basics of building more community, like the person who said we need “relationship building – getting to know your neighbor. Intentional interaction.” One participant said, “We need to come together in groups to have courage to come out. Too easy to just go home.” 

Other people want individuals in our community to connect with people who are different from them, including across generations. Forty-four people wanted our community to have more social and emotional skills or strengths, with an emphasis on listening, empathy, and care. These included:

• “Listen to different perspectives. Really listen!”
• “Ability to see our issues through a lens of what is best for our whole community, not just me and mine (a girl can dream).” 
• “More radical inclusion of people with disabilities.”
• “Lessening the fear other people have towards Black people.” 

Another subset of people identified specific problems for our community to address. Affordable housing was the most frequently mentioned challenge, along with food, medical care, and finding resources. The need for more opportunities for young people was also a common theme, with an understanding that, “things are not free and accessible in the community for high school students.” A few people brought up improving transportation and wealth disparities in our county. 

Some ideas were sharp: 

• “To measure community volunteer rate like we do employment and education.”  

• “The issues of non-connection are systemic so the ‘solutions’ should aim to counter on all levels; ground-up and top-down – individual, communal, strategic.” 

Others were delightfully mysterious! According to one participant, our community needs: “the more.” 

We’re all needed for “the more!” We want to thank everyone who worked on, volunteered for, and participated in the Longest Table. We hope you can join these efforts to build more connections in our community, whether through next year’s Longest Table, the upcoming ideas sessions (register at links above), or another community-building HCLS class. 

Katie is the Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager for HCLS. She loves people, the big questions, the woods, and chocolate.