WAYNESBORO – It was another Gold Star Day for the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library as they were awarded their fourth Gold Star from PA Forward.
“We are incredibly honored to be awarded the Gold Star,” said Julie Diaz, director of the library. “This is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the entire team to serve the Waynesboro area.”
PA Forward is a statewide effort by the Pennsylvania Library Association. It is intended to help all libraries share with their local communities that “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,” according to the PAForward.org website.
The PA Forward “star” system is designed to ensure that participating libraries are actively working to share key kinds of knowledge for today’s world. These areas include:
· Basic literacy
· Information literacy
· Civic and social literacy
· Health literacy
· Financial literacy
Award of a Bronze Star indicates a library has a communications plan with elements that will enable them to effectively share their capabilities with the community.
Earning five Silver Stars indicates they have demonstrated quality activities in each of the five knowledge areas.
The Gold Star indicates the library has created a program that will help to move PA forward with the knowledge and skills needed for the future.
“There are 150 libraries out of about 650 in the state that have achieved a Gold Star,” according to PA Forward representative Rob Lesher. “It is a testament to the enduring quality of this library that they are able to maintain this quality for many years.”
In addition to her gratitude to the entire staff of the local library, Diaz also expressed her appreciation to many partners including the Waynesboro Area School District, Main Street Waynesboro, local financial advisors and all the members of her Board who have been so consistently supportive.
