​Valerie J. Gross, MM, MLS, JD, has served as President & CEO of Howard County Library System (HCLS) since 2001. Developing a new vision for libraries, Gross worked with the HCLS Board, staff, funders, elected officials, and the community to implement "Libraries = Education."
Gross has delivered 100+ keynotes, workshops, seminars, and webinars on the strategy, drawing the participation and input of thousands of library professionals from 46 states and more than a dozen countries around the world. Combining these experiences, she authored Transforming Our Image, Building Our Brand: The Education Advantage (ABC-CLIO, 2013).
For living this game-changing vision, HCLS was recognized in 2013 as Library of the Year by Gale andLibrary Journal. They hailed the “Libraries = Education” equation “a 21st-century model worthy of study and consideration by every library in America, if not the world” (Library Journal, 2013). The growing movement is ushering in a new era for libraries everywhere.

​Learn more about Dr. Gross

Christie Lassen is the Director of Public Relations for Howard County Library System, where she coordinates the national Choose Civility initiative. A graduate of Leadership Howard County, she is a member of Blossoms of Hope Board of Directors, #OneHoward steering committee, and Howard County Public School System’s (HCPSS) Career Academy Visual Communications Advisory Committee and Career Research and Development Advisory Board, and HCPSS / Howard Community College Local Advisory Council. She has more than 20 years’ experience in public relations and fundraising at nonprofits across the country, has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University, and served one year in a domestic volunteer program in Washington, DC.