Lititz Public Library Garners Silver Star Status
Having gained Silver Star status in all five literacies of the PA Forward Star Library program, Lititz Public Library director Ryan McCrory is well versed in the emphasis of the effort. "It's part of (the PA Forward) push to make sure libraries are staying relevant and doing the things that are important to keep our communities at the forefront of opportunity and success," explained McCrory.
Now, McCrory said the library is eyeing gold status in the program, which he first learned of while working at a library in Berks County. After taking over the helm in Lititz in spring 2019, McCrory realized that the library was well on its way to earning top status with PA Forward. "When I came here, I looked at the programming being done, and most of it was already speaking to these (required) literacies. It was a matter of making people aware of it," he explained.
The organization focuses on five key literacies - Basic, Information, Civic and Social, Health, and Financial - with a goal of assisting residents in the library's service area in enhancing their quality of life. McCrory noted that basic literacy is simply the ability to read and write, while financial literacy is the ability to know how to budget and to do that in light of changes in how financial information is provided to individuals. "Health literacy is addressing health care issues such as navigating Medicare and health.gov," said McCrory. "Civic and social literacy is the ability to interact in a civil way and understanding how we can come together to improve our communities." According to McCrory, information literacy refers to how people know what they need to know. "How do we find the information we need and know that it is relevant and accurate?" he said, adding, "I don't have an easy answer, but I would love to get some speakers in to talk about how to recognize those things." The Star Library program offers support to participating libraries that integrate the literacies in their programming.
Working together with other community entities is encouraged by PA Forward because it allows libraries to maximize program opportunities and resources offered to patrons. "We are partnering with community organizations and businesses that are already experts in (these areas)," explained McCrory. "The library is a trusted entity, so if you get experts together with the library, you provide a place for people to come and get the information they need."
Although McCrory recognized that the library was already providing programming that the Star Library program required, he noted that a few additional steps needed to be taken to reach Silver Star status. "We had to recognize programs and how they fit, and we had to engage in social media with Pennsylvania Libraries Association and partner with them," he said, adding that doing those things left only promotional aspects to consider, such as making sure the right logos and verbiage were on flyers promoting the different types of literacies.
Gold Star status is the final frontier for the library, and McCrory believes that goal may be reached before April. "The gold level entails getting information out via social and traditional media, such as newspaper and television," he said.
Readers who would like more information about the library may visit http://www.lititzlibrary.org.
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