Striving for Silver: Civic & Social Literacy
July 12, 2017
You may have seen a few flyers hanging up in the Library recently with an orange logo that says “Civic and Social Literacy.” But what is it and why do we have the logo? We’re here to tell you!
The logo is the first step our Library is taking to become a PA Forward Silver Star Library! PA Forward’s Star Library Program is an initiative designed by The Pennsylvania Library Association to encourage all PA libraries to create programs and provide resources which follow five important literacy categories: basic, informational, civic-social, health, and financial.
The main goal of PA Forward is to see a future where “all Pennsylvania public, special, academic and school libraries unite in a shared vision of helping residents succeed as citizens, parents, students, employers, employees and consumers.”
So what does Civic and Social Literacy cover?
Civic literacy is the knowledge of your rights to vote in order to actively participate and make change in a democratic community. Social literacy means that we are aware and understand the social issues affecting our state and country.
Civic & Social Programs We Offer
During election season and before important voting dates, the Library will provide Voter Registration Forms for patrons. We will also mail your completed forms for you! Our Reference department is always on hand to help patrons learn more about political candidates.
Our Social Justice Book Club meets every other month, inviting people from all walks of life to come together and discuss the important social issues we face in a neutral space. You can browse our collection of past and present Social Justice Book Club titles at the Albright Memorial Library’s Main Floor by the Information Desk.
We also host a Socrates Cafe program with Marywood Professor Phil Jenkins. Socrates Cafe allows patrons to discuss a hot topic social issue and use the Socratic Method to do so. These discussions are held once a month, every third Thursday in the Director’s Office.
Help us strive for silver!
In the discussion box below, please feel free to share your thoughts on what Civic and Social programs or resources the Library can offer.
