WAYNESBORO, Pa. — The Alexander Hamiliton Memorial Free Library has won its third Gold Star Award in five years and celebrated with a reception that was open to the public.
Pennsylvania Forward Award
The Pennsylvania Forward Association was created with the mission of “making library services available for all Pennsylvania citizens, strengthening state-supported library services and leveraging greater local and private support, providing more databases at a lower cost and a better statewide delivery system, bolstering the recognized link between library service and workforce development, and raising the profile and importance of libraries and librarians.”
The Pennsylvania Forward program was designed to grow community literacy and potential in the fields of technology and education with real life needs to elevate the quality of life in Pennsylvania. According to the organization’s website, https://paforward.org/what-is-pa-forward/, the program has five key essential types of knowledge that a library needs to meet in order to qualify for the award.
– Basic Literacy– “the development o foundational competency through reading, writing, math, job application assistance and overall life-skill development including STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) knowledge.”
– Information Literacy– “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 and Social Literacy– “engaging 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- “having 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- “having 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.”
Library celebrates 3rd win
Wednesday morning, the staff of the library celebrated their third Gold Star Award in five years with members of the community including state Rep. Chad Reichard (R-Franklin) and Waynesboro Area School District Superintendent Rita Sterner-Hine.
The award was presented to Library Director Julie Diaz who had this to say about once again winning the honor.
“We have grown so much in the last two and a half years with the support of the community and our phenomenal staff who are passionate and dedicated to our guests and members.”
She also spoke of the importance of the volunteers who devote their time to the library and its programs, especially student volunteers, who help add diversity and generational awareness to the programs for both adults and children.
Diaz also emphasized how these programs and the hard work of the staff and volunteers winning this award once again are a testament to how important the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library is to the Waynesboro community.
