The Pennsylvania Library Association’s 21st Century Literacy Initiative, PA Forward, was conceived to give voice to what the library community already knows, and what other states throughout the nations are also recognizing:
With the right support, libraries are ideally positioned to become the community centers of information, technology, and learning that will fuel education and economic opportunity for all of our citizens.
Libraries have moved far beyond just being book repositories. They are agile institutions serving real-life needs. Libraries can be key to powering progress and elevating the quality of life in PA by fueling the types of knowledge essential to success: Basic literacy, information literacy, civic and social literacy, health literacy and financial literacy.
As a Gold Star library, the Free Library of New Hope and Solebury has demonstrated its commitment to providing services and programs that meet all five of the PA Forward Literacies. For more information on PA Forward, click here.
Libraries can push Pennsylvanians to achieve one of the highest literacy rates in the country, a better trained and more skilled workforce, and a growing tax base, economy and population. Some of our Basic Literacy programs include book clubs, story time for children, creative writing and poetry workshops.
Libraries can help all Pennsylvanians learn how to use online resources and current technology to improve their education, to enhance job skills and to participate fully in a digital society. Some of our Information Literacy programs include 3-D Printing, online resources and databases, and an electronic library.
Librarians can give citizens of all ages the knowledge and skills they need to improve their lives, contribute effectively in their communities and participate in civil discourse. Some of our Civic and Social programs include historical presentations, Master Gardener programs and musical performances.
Libraries can play an important role in helping citizens actively manage their own and their family’s well-being, making them effective partners with their health care providers and reducing costs. Some of our Health Literacy programs include CPR Basics, Navigating Medicare, yoga and essential oils for health.
Libraries can help citizens become informed consumers and guide individuals, small businesses and other organizations in ways to better manage their finances and contribute to the economic vitality of their communities. Some of our Financial Literacy programs include retirement planning, saving for college and identity theft.
