Howard County Library System
 
 
Valerie J. Gross Biographical Summary

VALERIE J. Gross, MM, MLS, JD, has served as President & CEO of Howard County Library System (HCLS) since 2001. She takes pride in HCLS' top national ranking among the great public library systems for delivering high-quality public education for all through a curriculum that comprises three pillars: Self-Directed Education, Research Assistance & Instruction, and Instructive & Enlightening Experiences (Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings, American Libraries; Top 10 Borrowing Per Capita, American Libraries; Five-Star Library System, Library Journal).

 

For these achievements, Ms. Gross credits the extraordinary HCLS team of educators and support staff who continue to raise the bar for excellence; and the unsurpassed support of the County Executive, County Council, HCLS Board of Trustees, State Legislators, Friends of Howard County Library, philanthropic partners, volunteers, and you, the dynamic Howard County leaders and community.

 

A passionate promoter of libraries, Ms. Gross believes that the most effective way to convey their value is to position libraries as part of the education enterprise, and speak in value-enhanced terms that people outside the profession understand. She has led the repositioning of HCLS as a major component of education, which, since 2001, has resulted in tripled library visits (1M to 3M) and attendance at classes and events (73K to 250K/yr.); and the doubling of materials borrowed (3M to 7.1M), and research assistance interactions (800K to 1.8M/yr.) — all this in a county with 282,000 residents.


An attorney and educator for more than 25 years, Gross is the recipient of the 2012 and 2010 Public Libraries Feature Article Contest award and was honored as a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2004. She holds a Master of Music from San Francisco Conservatory of Music, a Master of Library Science from San Jose State University, and a law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law. She chairs the Choose Civility Board of Advisors and HiTech Board of Advisors, and serves on the Maryland Library Association’s Legislative Advisory Panel, the Howard County Public School System’s District Planning Team, and the Columbia Cultural Master Plan Advisory Committee. She has also served on the Board of Directors of Leadership Howard County, Howard County Arts Council, and Vision Howard County. She is a member of the American Library Association, Public Library Association, Maryland Library Association, Leadership Howard County, and California Bar Association.


Ms. Gross grew up in Switzerland and has taught English in China. She and her husband, Tri Q. Nguyen, a classical guitarist, live in Columbia, Maryland. Their son, David, a tennis pro and pre-med student, attends the University of Maryland.

EDUCATION

J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, California

M.L.S., San Jose State University, San Jose, California

M.M., Voice, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco, California

B.A., Music, Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana

 

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

Ms. Gross’ publications include:

  • Transforming our Image, Building Our Brand: The Education Advantage, by Valerie J. Gross. Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO, 2013.>

  • "Choose Civility: Public Libraries Take Center Stage," by Valerie J. Gross, Public Libraries, PLA/ALA, Vol. 50, No.4, July/August 2011, p. 30-37.>

  • “Transforming Our Image through Words that Work: Perception is Everything,” by Valerie J. Gross. Public Libraries, PLA/ALA, Vol. 48, No. 5, September/October 2009, p. 24-32.

  • “A Lifetime of Education at Howard County Library,” by Valerie J. Gross. The Business Monthly, April 2006, p. 29.

  • “A+ Partners in Education: Linking Libraries to Education for a Flourishing Future,” by Valerie J. Gross. Public Libraries. PLA/ALA, Vol. 44, No. 4, July/August 2005, p. 217-222.

  • “A+ Partners in Education: Positioning Libraries as a Cornerstone in the Education Process,” by Valerie J. Gross. Children & Libraries, the Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children, Summer/Fall 2003, p. 27-31.

 

INVITED PRESENTATIONS: Workshops, Seminars, Webinars, Keynotes

 

A frequent speaker, guest lecturer, and workshop leader, Valerie Gross, has presented 50+ workshops, seminars, webinars, presentations, and keynotes, drawing the participation of thousands, from 42 states—including Alaska and five Canadian provinces. Examples include:

2013

  • American Libraries Association Conference Session, “The Road to Civility: Implementing a Choose Civility Initiative.” Presenters: HCLS President & CEO Valerie J. Gross and HCLS Director of Public Relations Christie P. Lassen (June 29, 2013, Chicago, Illinois)


2012

  • Jefferson-Madison Regional Library Seminar, “Transforming Our Image, Building Our Brand: The Education Advantage” (August 27, 2012, Charlottesville, Virginia)
  • Newport News Public Library System Professional Development Day Keynote Address and Workshop, “Transforming Our Image, Building Our Brand: The Education Advantage” (August 15, 2012, Newport News, Virginia)
  • American Library Association Presentation: “Transforming Our Image, Building Our Brand: The Education Advantage” (June 23, 2012, ALA Conference, ABC-CLIO)
  • Virginia Public Library Directors’ Association Meeting Seminar: “Transforming Our Image, Building Our Brand: The Education Advantage” (April 26, 2012, Syria, Virginia)
  • Public Library Association Webinar: “Implementing Choose Civility, a Community-wide Campaign” (March 20, 2012, American Library Association)
  • Public Library Association Conference presentation: “Choose Civility: Positioning Public Libraries Center Stage” (March 16, 2012, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  • Virginia Educational Facility Planners (Virginia’s chapter of the Council of Educational Facility Planners International) Seminar: “Transforming Our Image, Building Our Brand: The Education Advantage” (February 27, 2012, Roanoke, Virginia)


2011

  • New Hampshire Library Association Fall Conference Webinar: “Transforming Our Image—Part I: Building Our Brand: The Education Advantage; Part II: Implementing the Vision” (November 4, 2011)
  • Public Library Association Webinar: “Transforming Our Image: No Explanation Needed; Part I, The Three Pillars Philosophy; Part II, Implementing the Vision” (May 18, 2011, American Library Association, Chicago, Illinois)


2010

  • Public Library Association Webinar: “Transforming Our Image: No Explanation Needed” (November 15, 2010, American Library Association, Chicago, Illinois)
  • Urban Libraries Council Webinar: “The Power of Strategic Language in Education” (February 24, 2010)
  • Texas State Library Webinar: “The Road to Civility—Implementing a Choose Civility Initiative," Presenters: HCLS President & CEO Valerie J. Gross, HCLS Director of Public Relations Christie P. Lassen, and Howard County Board of Education Chair Ellen Flynn Giles (December 10, 2010)
  • Pennsylvania Library Association Keynote Address: “Transforming Our Image through Words that Work: No Explanation Needed;” and Seminar: “Implementing the Vision” (December 3, 2010, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania)
  • Public Library Association Webinar: “Transforming Our Image: No Explanation Needed” (November 15, 2010, American Library Association, Chicago, Illinois)
  • Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library In-Service Day Workshop: “Transforming Our Image through Words that Work” (October 20, 2010, Norristown, Pennsylvania)
  • West Virginia Library Association Conference Workshop: “Transforming Our Image through Words that Work: No Explanation Needed” and Seminar: “Implementing the Vision” (October 13, 2010, Roanoke, West Virginia)
  • Delta Township District Library Workshop: “Transforming Our Image through Words that Work” (June 9, 2010, Lansing, Michigan)
  • Detroit Library Cooperative, Mideastern Michigan Library Cooperative, Suburban Library Cooperative and The Library Network Keynote Address and Workshop: “The Playwrights Workshop: Transforming Our Image through Words that Work” (June 8, 2010, Waterford, Michigan)
  • Chester County (PA) Library and District Center Conference Workshop: “Transforming Our Image through Words that Work” (April 29, 2010, Exton, Pennsylvania)
  • Urban Libraries Council Webinar: “The Power of Strategic Language in Education” (February 24, 2010)


2009

  • 7th Annual Advocacy Conference Session, “Do Unto Others: Enhancing Customer Service in Eldercare Settings;” Keynote: “The Road to CIVILITY” (November 18, 2009, Baltimore County, Maryland)
  • Wicomico (MD) Public Library Staff Development Day Keynote Address and Workshop, “The Indispensable Library: Conveying Our Value Through Words that Work” (October 2009, Salisbury, Maryland)
  • Maryland Library Association Pre-Conference Session/Workshop: “Convey Your Value Through Words that Work” (May 13, 2009, Ocean City, Maryland)


2008

  • Maryland Association of Public Library Administrators Presentation: “Words that Work: Perception is Everything” (October 3, 2008, Ocean City, Maryland)
  • College of DuPage (Illinois) Press Teleconference Panel Presenter—“Library Challenges and Opportunities: Tools of Engagement: Attracting and Engaging Library Users” (Broadcast Date: May 9, 2008) [http://www.collegeofdupagepress.com/index.php?id=1671]


2007

  • Alaska State Library DirLead Conference Keynote Address and Workshop: “Creating the Indispensable Library: Community Engagement” (October 2007, Anchorage, Alaska)
  • Infopeople Project (California State Library) Workshop: “Building Leadership Skills: Community Engagement” (May 2007 and February 2008; locations throughout California)


2006

  • California Public Library Directors Conference Presentation: “Reimagining the Library Customer Experience” (May 2006, San Diego, California)
 
Leadership Team