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Reading Public Library Reaches Gold Star Status in PA Library Association Initiative

Jun 23, 2017 • by Reading Public Library
Reading Public Library

Reading, PA –   In an effort to raise awareness of the many ways that public libraries assist people in living healthy, productive lives, Reading Public Library (RPL) is proudly supporting the PA Forward initiative of the Pennsylvania Library Association.  PA Forward’s mission is to make Pennsylvanians aware that libraries are more and more becoming community centers, resource sharing hotspots, and invaluable connections to information beyond books on a shelf.  PA Forward has identified the following five literacies as areas where libraries are well positioned to positively impact patrons’ lives:  basic, information, civic and social, health, and financial. 

In 2017, PA Forward introduced the Star Library Program which gives libraries the opportunity to submit evidence of their commitment to the Five Literacies in their program calendar to a state-appointed committee of peers.  This three-tiered process awards bronze, silver, and gold level rankings.  On May 26, Reading Public Library was awarded Gold Star Status, joining only sixteen other libraries in the Commonwealth of PA to achieve this prestigious recognition.  This ultimate level of achievement denotes over forty steps have been taken, the majority of which are directly related to the library’s programming concepts. RPL proudly advertises its MindPop Adult Programming as its own initiative in imitation of the PA Forward paradigm.  Mindpop champions programs that prepare people to succeed in school, the workforce, and their personal lives.

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