Penn State Harrisburg Library earns PA Forward Gold Star

By: Emily Mross

The Pennsylvania Library Association just announced the 2019 second quarter PA Forward Star Library awardees, including Penn State Harrisburg Library, which earned Gold Star status. Though more than 30 libraries from throughout the state earned their star status in this quarter, Penn State Harrisburg Library is one of two academic libraries to earn Gold Star status, and one of only 4 academic libraries in Pennsylvania with a Gold Star designation.

“The PA Forward Star Library program spotlights libraries’ efforts to continue making intentional investments in literacy-aligned programs,” said Christi Buker, Pennsylvania Library Association Executive Director. “Yes, you can go to your local library and check out books, but these agile
institutions demonstrate day in and day out they offer more than books,” Buker added. “Libraries offer the world to those who enter their doors.”

To earn a Gold Star, Penn State Harrisburg Library presented programs and highlighted library resources related to the open access and scholarly publishing, medical privacy and research
ethics, sustainable agriculture, midterm elections, and building/repairing personal credit. Throughout the year, the library partnered with Penn State Harrisburg Reads, Open Access Week, Penn State College of Medicine, and First National Bank.

PA Forward, which launched statewide in 2012, works through five key literacies – Basic, Information, Civic & Social, Health and Financial – to assist individuals in enhancing their overall
quality of life. To continue helping libraries use PA Forward to demonstrate all their libraries offer, in Jan. 2017, the Association kicked off the Star Library program statewide. The Star Library recognition offers support to libraries who participate and integrate PA Forward’s literacies in their programming activities. Libraries are recognized for meeting benchmarks within the bronze, silver and gold star levels of the program. While one star is awarded for both the bronze and gold levels, a total of five stars are awarded in the silver category – one silver star for each of the five literacies of PA Forward.

Penn State Harrisburg Librarians have planned another slate of literacy programs for the coming academic year. These programs will highlight primary elections, science literacy, reproductive health, personal finance, and the Campus Reads book, Just Mercy.