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 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.
PA FORWARD STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The PA Forward Steering Committee is charged with leading and sustaining the campaign over multiple years to ensure lasting improvements to all library services through engagement of the library community, partnership development, marketing, fundraising, and measuring impact.
Mary Garm – Chair
Lackawanna County Library System
Paula Gilbert - Vice Chair
Martin Library
David Belanger
Lower Merion Library System
Paula Collins
Clearfield County Public Library
Jonelle Darr
Cumberland County Library System
Barb Eshbach
Penn State York
Kelli Knapp
Warren County Library Association
Jessica Lasher
Punxsutawney Memorial Library
Rob Lesher
Dauphin County Library System
Allison Mackley
Hershey High School
Melissa Rowse
James V. Brown Library
David Schappert
Marywood University
Margie Stern
Indian Valley Public Library
Jennifer Stocker
Easton Area Public Library & District Center
Denise Sticha
Berks County Library System
Alicia Stine
PA Citizens for Better Libraries
Janis Stubbs
Delaware County Library System
Amy Krize Suveg
Chester County Library & District Center
Carrie Turner
Cheltenham Township Library System