WAYNESBORO, Pa. – Staff, volunteers and patrons gathered Oct. 14 to celebrate the renewal of Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library’s PA Forward Gold Star status for a sixth consecutive year. The event in the community room also featured a slideshow of library activities.
“This is why we’re all here, including my niece, Della, the newest generation to call the library one of her favorite places to go,” said State Rep. Chad Reichard as he offered congratulations during the program. “This is a very special place for all of us and I look forward to the seventh honor next year,” he added.
The PA Forward program recognizes Pennsylvania libraries that excel in incorporating five key literacies into their programs: basic, information, civic and social, health and financial.
Rob Lesher, PA Forward program manager, said the initiative began 10 years ago as a pilot program and AHMFL was the second to become involved. “People began to see the library as more than a storage for books but as a living community center focusing on education.” The peer-reviewed program recognized the Waynesboro library for offering quality programming in the literacies, he added.
Library director Julie Diaz noted that the library has “grown so much in the two and a half years I’ve been here and we could not have done it without the support of the community and amazing patrons.” Diaz also recognized the Friends of the Library “who jump in any time we ask and with a smile.” Diaz thanked the board of directors for “keeping us moving forward,” as well as the adult and teen volunteers and a “phenomenal staff.”
Carolyn Adkins, who directs the ILL (interlibrary loan) program at the library and organizes the book displays, also is tasked with ensuring that the library follows the requirements of the PA Forward program. “We seek input from the community to update resources when necessary and our team always reflects and makes adjustments based on feedback,” she added.
“So far this month, we served over 300 patrons in our early education program and 400 in the Maker’s Space, (free access to tools, technology, and hands-on crafting equipment for community projects, digital creation, and STEM learning),” children’s librarian Julie Pflager said.
