Counties Throughout Pennsylvania Celebrated Libraries During National Library Week

April 9-15, 2017 libraries and counties shined spotlight on all libraries offer to communities   

Mechanicsburg, PA (April 28, 2017) – With a goal of highlighting the value libraries add to communities daily, the PA Library Association undertook a task of asking all 67 counties in Pennsylvania to officially observe and recognize April 9-15, 2017 as National Library Week. Sponsored by the American Library Association, the designation is designed to celebrate the contributions of libraries and library workers around the country and is used to encourage library use and support.

Being more than book repositories, libraries provide online resources for families, access to community and social services, and serve as activity hubs, supporting entrepreneurship, training opportunities and are a true example of an information exchange.  

“The library embraces the entire community, offering unlimited opportunities for personal growth and lifelong learning,” said Christi Buker, PA Library Association Executive Director. “Libraries level the playing field for people of any age who are seeking the information and access to technologies that will improve their quality of life, filling the gaps that are left gaping when other areas have to cut services and programming due to budgetary constraints. Libraries truly do transform their communities so it was only fitting that this year’s National Library Week spoke to that, showcasing all our libraries provide. It was also a way to thank countless library staffers throughout the country and Pennsylvania for all they do to help citizens tap into their potential.”

The theme for 2017 National Library Week was “Libraries Transform” and was a time to highlight the changing role of libraries, librarians and library workers. 

“Libraries aren’t only a place of quiet study, but also creative and engaging community centers where people can collaborate using new technologies, learn how to use a 3D printer or even record their own music,” said June Houghtaling, Consultant for the North Central Library District. “Pennsylvania libraries are working to meet the diverse needs of their patrons. Whether you are a school student, an elected official or a business owner, libraries are providing resources to be of assistance. Libraries are an investment in a community member’s success and that investment transforms the larger community.”

County commissioners in several counties proclaimed the designation, underlining their support for these community centers. These counties included:

·         Blair County

·         Bucks County

·         Carbon County

·         Centre County

·         Chester County

·         Clearfield County

·         Clinton County

·         Cumberland County

·         Delaware County

·         Franklin County

·         Greene County

·         Jefferson County

·         Lackawanna County

·         Mifflin County

·         Montgomery County

·         Northumberland County

·         Potter County

·         Snyder County

·         Tioga County

·         Washington County

“We are pleased that these counties, as well as multiple municipalities, stood up and declared how valuable libraries are in their communities,” Buker added. “National Library Week was a great opportunity to put a spotlight on all the work and services our libraries offer.  Our goal is to help all communities move forward, with strong libraries offering resources and programs in basic, financial, civic and social, information, and health literacies. We are very thankful to these counties and their commissioners for highlighting libraries and all they do every day, not just during National Library Week. We hope more counties, if not all, will issue proclamations to recognize National Library Week next year.”    

For more information about National Library Week, visit http://www.ala.org/news/mediapresscenter/factsheets/nationallibraryweek. To learn how to become more involved with a library in the local area, visit the PA Library Association at  www.palibraries.org or call 717-766-7663.  

About the Pennsylvania Library Association

Founded in 1901, the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) is the state’s oldest and most diverse professional library organization serving libraries, library employees, library trustees, and Friends of the Library groups. For more information, visit www.palibraries.org, facebook.com/PALibraries or @PALibraryAssoc on Twitter.

About PA Forward™

The Pennsylvania Library Association’s PA Forward® | Pennsylvania Libraries initiative was conceived to give voice to what the library community already knows, and what other states throughout the nation recognize – 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. For more information, visit www.PAForward.org, facebook.com/paforward or @PAForward5 on Twitter.