On Wednesday, Jan. 31, Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor visited the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library to promote the Pennsylvania Library Association’s (PaLA) PA Forward® Initiative, which fuels the types of knowledge essential to helping Pennsylvanians succeed. The initiative focuses on five literacy hubs: Basic Literacy; Information Literacy; Civic and Social Literacy; Health Literacy; and Financial Literacy.
“Pennsylvania libraries offer more than just books—they are a central knowledge hub where you can access a multitude of resources for free,” Auditor General DeFoor said. “One of the biggest benefits to having a library card is that it gives you access to information about money and will help you on your road to becoming financially literate. Financial literacy is vital to Pennsylvania’s growth, and I’m excited to continue working with the Pennsylvania Library Association to ensure all Pennsylvanians know how to be money smart.”
The Pennsylvania Library Association was founded in 1901 with a mission to advance libraries and librarianship. More than 1,200 members from public, academic, and special libraries turn to the Pennsylvania Library Association for professional growth, leadership, and continuing education. The PA Forward® initiative started in 2009 with the tagline, “Literacy is POWER. Libraries provide the fuel for you, for your community, for Pennsylvania.”
“The PA Forward® Initiative helps Pennsylvanians to develop literacy skills that are fundamental to gaining success in our 21st Century Society,” Christi Buker, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Library Association, said. “Our libraries carry out programming, like the financial literacy children’s programs occurring today at the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library, so that the books and resources available at the library can be applied to your own situation. Getting a public library card is the best financially literate action any Pennsylvanian can do for themselves and for their families. We are pleased that the Auditor General is helping communities understand the importance of financial literacy, and where they can take action to help themselves with great library services!”
Through Auditor General DeFoor’s Be Money Smart financial literacy initiative, the Department of the Auditor General has been raising awareness about the current state of financial literacy across Pennsylvania and providing residents with tools they can use to help them on their journey to financial independence.
“It’s never too early or too late to learn how to be smart with your money,” Auditor General DeFoor continued. “And, it’s one of the most important lessons a person can learn. With the help of our partners, we are continuing to work toward creating the next generation of financially secure Pennsylvanians.”
Auditor General DeFoor has spent the last three years promoting financial literacy across the Commonwealth as part of the Be Money Smart initiative. Since it’s launch, DeFoor has:
- Completed a statewide financial literacy tour to raise awareness about the need for financial literacy legislation in Pennsylvania;
- Visited all state and state related universities in Pennsylvania to talk about job and internship opportunities within the department and the importance of knowing how your money works;
- Met with students participating in the State YMCA of Pennsylvania Youth and Government program and visited several YMCAs across the state to talk about financial literacy;
- Worked with Junior Achievement to emphasize financial literacy messages to elementary school students;
- Partnered with local financial institutions to provide financial literacy resources to the public; and
- Partnered with Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and Members 1st to coordinate a statewide financial literacy competition for high school students in Pennsylvania.
For more information on the Department of the Auditor General’s financial literacy efforts, visit www.PaAuditor.gov/BeMoneySmart and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
