Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library
Goes for GOLD!
The Pennsylvania Library Association’s 21st Century Literacies Initiative, PA Forward®, was conceived to give voice to what the library community already knows, and what other states throughout the nation are also recognizing:
With the right support, libraries are ideally positioned to become the community centers of information, technology, and learning that will fuel educational and economic opportunity for all of our citizens.
Libraries have moved far beyond just being book repositories. They’re agile institutions serving real-life needs. Libraries are the key to powering progress and elevating the quality of life in Pennsylvania by fueling the types of knowledge essential to success: Basic Literacy, Information Literacy, Civic and Social Literacy, Health Literacy, and Financial Literacy.
Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library has begun their participation in this initiative. By offering programs and services such as our story times for all ages, technology workshops, music & movement programs, walking programs, and more, we are promoting the five literacies that are the backbone of Pennsylvania libraries.
By using the PA Forward literacy branding on the programs and services we offer, we show that our library is part of a larger statewide initiative that is powering progress and elevating the quality of life in Pennsylvania.
PA Forward provides the opportunity to be recognized for the work we are doing at the library by offering PA Forward Star Library designation. As we complete the necessary actions for each level and follow the guidelines for submission of documentation, we are working our way to becoming a prestigious PA Forward Star Library!
BASIC LITERACY is the ability to read, write, speak and listen with comprehension at all levels of life, career and community involvement; the functional and practical use of language in all formats. Foundational literacy education includes, but is not limited to, reading, writing, math, job application assistance, fundamental terminology and technical concepts in a field of study, learning new languages and new technologies for communication, and overall life-skill development.
INFORMATION LITERACY is the ability to express, connect with and understand knowledge and communication through comprehensive and innovative formats; the ability to distinguish between credible and non-credible sources; recognizing when information is needed to further oneself, an objective or a project.
CIVIC & SCOCIAL LITERACY is the ability to engage in discourse while remaining respectful of other individuals of varying opinions; understanding the importance of community engagement which allows individuals to interact with one another, in a participatory manner; invoking societal change.
HEALTH LITERACY is the ability to make informed decisions in relation to an individual’s physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual health; Also applies to caregivers understanding the health information of a loved one.
FINANCIAL LITERACY is the knowledge and understanding necessary to make informed fiscal/economic decisions for personal life planning and business interests including responsible budgeting, spending and saving skills.
