Library Awarded 2017 Consensus Civility Award

Friday, September 29, 2017
Courtney Lewis
Library Awarded 2017 Consensus Civility Award


Kansas City, MO - The Kansas City Public Library has been awarded the Consensus Civility Award for 2017 by the nonprofit group Consensus KC. The award highlights people and institutions in the greater Kansas City area working across differences to improve our community.

The Library was recognized for our work in the following areas:
  • Promoting civil dialogue through public programs.
  • Engaging immigrants and refugees through our Refugee & Immigrant Services and Empowerment program.
  • Serving homeless patrons through our Coffee and Conversations program.
  • Bridging the digital divide through our Mobile Hotspot initiative and our Learning Circles. 
“The Library is the great equalizer,” said Director Crosby Kemper, III. “The place where the community can come together. No matter your income level, education level, or where you’re from, we want to connect Kansas Citians with each other to create a stronger community.”

The Consensus Civility Award highlights people and institutions in the greater Kansas City area who have worked across differences to improve our community.
Fellow 2017 winners include:
  • Mayor Mark Holland, Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas
  • Sister Berta Sailer, Operation Breakthrough (lifetime achievement)
  • DEBATE Kansas City
  • Officer Orlando Singleton
  • Officer Chato Villalobos
  • Steven Allan Ramsey, for working to bring back Anytown KC

“This group represents the best of greater Kansas City,” said Kemper. “It’s an honor to be included among everyone.”

Recipients will be honored at a breakfast November 7 at Rockhurst University.