On Monday, I attended the formal launch of an exciting new initiative here in Pennsylvania–PA FORWARD. PA Forward is the first statewide initiative–perhaps the first of its kind in the country (although don’t quote me on that)–conceived by the Pennsylvania Library Association as a 21st century literacies initiative, which recognizes 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.
The foundation of the initiative is the five literacies that are essential to a successful population:
The initiative has partnered with a vast array of professional organizations, businesses, non-profits, state agencies, and more, including honorary board chair Pennsylvania author Lisa Scottoline, to form an alliance committed to powering a new level of knowledge across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. From the Web site:
As our state and nation struggle with economic shifts, some permanent, we all ask, “How will Pennsylvania build a better future, one of job growth, opportunity, and community vitality?”
Those who work at or with Pennsylvania’s academic, public, school, and special libraries already know that an educated public with better access to information is key. Libraries have been at the center of Pennsylvania’s communities, providing the critical connections.
Now it’s time to let the rest of Pennsylvania know – and ensure that libraries take their rightful place as leaders of a vision that requires a unique combination of new technology, community access, and commitment to learning.
Please take a few minutes and explore the Web site to find out more.
What I love about this initiative above all else is that there is no gimmick here. This is not a marketing campaign. It’s not even an advocacy campaign either, although there’s a component of that. This is a well thought out plan of action to move Pennsylvania, its citizens, and its libraries forward well into the 21st century and beyond. It positions libraries, all libraries–public, academic, school, and special– to do what they do best–act as a community center for knowledge, information, and to provide the tools necessary to succeed. There is no single-minded focus on digital technology. There’s no angst over ebooks. It is a rock solid attempt to position libraries as much more than just a place to get the newest, hottest format.
Find out how you can get involved. There is a media kit available on the Web site, which includes literature that explains the five literacies and their importance to all citizens. The kit also lists the initiative partners, advisory board, and contains a profile of honorary chair Lisa Scottoline.
As with any new program, I’m sure it will take some time for PA Forward to take hold. However, I have high hopes that it will succeed and that it will make a difference. It beats sitting around and wringing our hands over publishers that don’t want to play fair with libraries.
Hi Bonnie – I reviewed the site and didn’t see a plan of action. Can you point it out for me or forward materials that may not yet be posted? Thanks.
“Plan of action” was my turn of the phrase, Jean. I doubt you’ll find what you’re looking for on the PA Forward Web site.
Perhaps it would have been better to say that it is a framework within which Pennsylvania’s libraries can form their own plans of action in order to position themselves as centers of substantive learning rather than simply the place to go for popular material. I think it is a step in the right direction back to the concept of “The People’s University,” for which you often advocate, without the restriction of limiting libraries to acting only as educator. I believe libraries can be both–The People’s University and community centers with buildings full of life, and yes, shelves (or digital collections) filled with the latest best sellers.
How do you see PA Forward, Jean? I suspect I know what you answer may be.
Hi – We probably see lots of the details differently, tho please know I share your vision of library as educator and community center, full of life and stocked with quality materials that enlighten and entertain.
Through three years of observing library initiatives across the country, I’ve learned to take a “wait and see” approach when evaluating them. I’ve seen so many initiatives announced with enthusiasm, a webpage and a few general statements that end up going nowhere. This one may be different, and I truly hope it is. Here’s the advice I would give the person in charge:
Go way outside the library community for consultation on how to move forward. Retain a tough consultant or recruit a demanding champion that has delivered something big in another large industry — one who will push hard, cut through the hubris, bureaucracy and group think — and who will push for unique, realistic, measurable plans of action to help libraries emerge with a clear sense of purpose.
That advice makes a lot of sense, Jean.
I especially enjoyed this post as I was also in attendance at the launch. I am very excited about the PA Forward initiative. First, PA Forward reinforces the central role a library plays in the lives of citizens across the state, actually nation. It is one of the only entities that offer services to individuals from birth through the young at heart (senior citizens). Second, it promotes the very essence of what a library aims to accomplish in all that we do…share information to empower our citizens to achieve. One only needs to step inside the doors of a library or visit their websites to understand that the library is doing great things. Thanks for highlighting this initiative.
Thanks, Paula! I agree!