PA Forward® Overview

PA Forward® provides a universal voice and framework for Pennsylvania libraries and community engagement. The Pennsylvania Library Association initiative, which launched statewide in 2012, works through five key literacies – Basic, Information, Civic & Social, Health and Financial – and helps libraries connect their programs to community needs.

In 2026, the priorities that will guide our PA Forward work are:

1. Communication
2. Sustainability
3. Community Relations/External Communications
4. Assessment Development
5. Partnership nurturing

To continue helping libraries use PA Forward® to demonstrate all they offer, in January 2017, the Association kicked off the Star Library program statewide. The Star Library recognition offers support to libraries who participate and integrate PA Forward’s® literacies in their programming activities. Those libraries are recognized for meeting benchmarks within the bronze, silver and gold star levels of the program.

Stars are awarded on a quarterly basis in the calendar year and the recognition is for the highest level attained in the program at the time of the award. To learn more about the Star Library program, visit PA Forward® Website or to work on your Star, visit PA Forward® Niche Academy.

 

PA Forward® In Action

As of 2019, the operational structure for PA Forward® took a three-pronged approach:

• Steering Committee - focusing on strategic planning, evaluation, mission, community partnerships and engagement, as well as fundraising.

• Literacies Team - focusing on the five literacies of PA Forward® - Basic, Information, Civic and Social, Health and Financial - working with all libraries to implement the framework in their settings whether public, special, academic or school libraries.

• Training Team - focusing on trainings including the Star Library Program, resource development and skill building.

 

Volunteer leaders comprise the PA Forward® Committees.

2026 Steering Committee:

• Helen Taylor, Chair, Ephrata Public Library
• Emily Mross, Vice-Chair, Penn State Harrisburg Library
• Kristin Janci, Director and District Administrator, B. F. Jones Memorial Library
• Melissa Rowse, Director, Degenstein Memorial Library
• Naomi Cross, Executive Director, Westmoreland County Federated Library System
• Sandy Longo, Director, Abington Community Library
• Stephanie Williams, System Administrator, Berks County Library System
• Vacant

2026 Literacies Team:

• Jessica Church, Chair, Erie Public Library
• Alice Pakhtigian, Librarian
• Angela Brown, Delaware County Library
• Christina Steffy, Librarian
• Emily Mross, Penn State University Libraries-Harrisburg
• Heather Lipinski, Librarian
• Jeanne Eckman, Quarryville Library
• Jessica Spitulski, Erie County Library
• Karen DeAngelo, Montgomery County - Norristown Public Library
• Leslie Wishard, The Green Free Library/ Potter- Tioga County Library System
• Lora-Lyn Kahler, York County Libraries
• Michele Lefler, Quarryville Public Library
• Rick Miller, Osterhout Free Library, Luzerne County Library System
• Stephanie Thompson, Millersville University Library
• Tylar Kerstetter, Librarian

2026 Training Team:

• Rachel Stevenson, Chair, Erie County Library
• Jackie Laick, Co-Chair, Technical Team, Washington & Jefferson College
• Ed Wolf, Co-Chair, Technical Team,Hosting Solutions and Library Consulting (HSLC)
• Beth Transue, Messiah University
• David Schappert, Retired Librarian
• Helen Taylor, Past Chair, Ephrata Public Library
• Patti Weiss, Western Pocono Community Library
• Paula Gilbert, Retired Librarian
• Rachel Mabb, Altoona Public Library

The PA Forward® Program Manager is a staff person with the Pennsylvania Library Association, and together with the volunteer leaders work to offer content, training, and outreach assistance for the Association's members and all libraries across the Commonwealth.

For more information about PA Forward®, including how to become more involved in the Star Library Program or become a volunteer leader, Email PA Forward® Program Manager or call 717-766-7663.