Attachment E LEARNING

GAC Minutes 6082010 STARTS HERE

Libraries and Literacy in the 21st Century - Summary April 2010

leveraging the Peoples ~niyersity middot

More than Just assets thatar~ under-funded Pennsylvanias academic and Public 1ibraries are under-leveraged in the Commonwealths efforts to solv~ our states biggest problems T~e common theme among most of themiddotse problems is illiteracyi A few facts middot

middot middotBasic Literacy bullbull

~L W) r ~- middot13 of Pennsylvanians do not have the basic literacy skills needed to read a newspaper Q)(xUAQ 7 middot or a brochure This percentage hltis not changed since 1992 middot

middot bull Nearly 9 out of 10 juveniles in thecour system are functionally illiterate

e 50 of the nations unemployed youth age 16-21 are functional illiterates with virtually no prospects of obtaining good jobs

Information Literacy

Senior citizens are the fastest growing group of Internet users They are also the most

vulnerable to Internet fraud

o 3 out of 4 job seekers now use the lnternetto seek employment in part because this is

the only way to apply for many job opportunities

bull Despite significant growth in availability_ of broadband access to the Internet in US

homes more than 25 of Americans do not have such access

Civic literacy

bull Good readers make good citizens Literary readers amiddotre more than twice as likely as nonshy

readers to volunteer or do charity work

bull Only 50 ofthe states registered voters- voted in the 2006 gubernatorial election

e 84 ofproficient adult read~rs voted in the 2000 presidential election compared with middot middot 53 of below-basic readers

Health Literacy

middott bull~f the health information on the Internet is inaccurate or misleading

bull Nearly half ofall Pennsylvanians have difficulty understanding and using health information 46 of Americans can 1t understand prescription medicine labels

bull - Nothing- not middotage income employment status education race or ethnicity affect health status more than literacy skills

Economic and Financial Literacy

bull 2 out of 5 adultsmiddotgive themselves a grade of C Dor Fon their knowledge of personal

finance

Ii middot 2out of 5 employers find high sch~ol graduates deficient in reading

e Good readers generally have more financially rewarding jobs Proficient readers are 25

times as likely as basicreaders to be earning $850 or more a week middot

middot

Pennsylvanias libraries - the Peoples University - ltan vitally and effectively prepare Pennsylvanians to compete and face the challenges of the 21stcentury

middot For a relativelyrnall state investment the power of libraries to help Pennsylvanians achieve literacy in five core areas as well as support downtown Main Street and neighborhood revitalization can be realized Thus the Pennsylvania Library Association recommends that a Literacy for the 21st Century initiative be launched This initiative redefines the librarys role within the context of five essentia I literacies that Penn1ylvanians must attain in cgtrder to succeed in the 21st Century as citizens parents stmicrodents employers employees and consumers

Literacy for the 21st Cen~ury

middot I Basic Literacy- Through strong print1 digital and online literacy collectioris links to practice GED tests eCourses and computer skills tutorials1 plus library-bas~d literacy programs for both children and adults lib~aries can help Pennsylvania achieve one of the highest literacy rates in the country1 a trained and skilled workforce a growing tax basemiddot economy and population middot

2 lnformation Literacy - Through state-of-the-art library ~omputer labs that have broadpand Internetcapability and trained tutors to assist citizens of all age~1 libraries can help Pennsylvanians learn how to use on line resources and current technology to improve their education to enhance their)ob skiJls an~ to participate fully in a digital society

3 Civic Literacy - Through regional program partnerships and public-forums plus strong

collections of fiction and nonfiction print audio video and digital materialsthat reflect

societys historic and contemporary issues public policies and events libraries can help citizens participate knowledgably and effectively in their middotcommunity

4 1ealth Literacy-Through community-based health care partnerships and programs plus by providing easily available and reliable collections such as online journals reports and streaming videos libraries can help citizens actively manage their own and theirfamilys wel1being1 making them effective partners with thei(health care providers aridreducing

bull bull bull bull bull j

costs

5~ Economic and Financial Literacy - Through strong print digital and online cilreer educational financial and legal collections as wellmiddotas commuqity-based programs and workshops libraries can help individuals andbusinesses exerdse financial disciplineandmiddot contribute to their communitys economic vitality

+( D i~ middot bullmiddot middot ~ Lmiddotl I

2

Statewide Initiative Benefits All Citizens

The 21st Century Literacy Initiative will be supported by statewide library prpgrarns that are high-tech high~touch and high-yield

( High-Tech Initiatives

Over the past decade1 the speed that information has migrated to the Internet is outpaced only by the speed that misinformation has migrated to the 1nternet Thus the expertise of Pennsylvanias information and technology library professionals will be used to develop a statewide Pennsylvania Information Network1 a virtual library that includes downloadable resurces and carefully selected commercial onlirie databases that provide citizens parents students~ employers employees and consumers with_ a weahh of reliable easy-to-find information The virtual library will be available through a free statewide eCard th~t will make library service~ available to every citizen for the first time in P~nnsylvania history

High-Touch Initiatives hyenh LlAQcw~l middot middot middot middot middot middot Building on the librarys role as community commons a third pl~ce11 where pmiddoteople lind opportunities to interact and connect with others high-tech initiatives will be balanced by middotenhanced library facilities that will revitalize and re-enmiddotergize Pennsylvanias downtowns ma1n

middot streets and neighborhoods There Pennsylvanias citizens will find librarians to help them with up9ated andmiddot expanded collections and improved access t~ public computing so that job seekers small business entreprenemiddoturs middotand others can use the library as their uofficeor business incubator Older communities will see renewed activity with libraries serving as a

town center ~f anchor that generates significant traffic and activity Community-based partnerships and public forums will engage and educate citizens on a variety of issues and topics

3 High-Yield lnitiativ~s Building on Ii bra ties rich tradition of collaboration middotand efficient operations both high~tech and high-touch initiatives will leverage economies of scale by using statewide buying power to improve acc~ss to digital and physical materials located in the states lSOO+ libr~ries

_~A uniform automated library management middotsystem ~ill iink academic ~nd public~library_ collectfons together making it easy for the public tofocate request and receive material

thrOligF1 an expanded statewide physical and digital delivery system Regi_onal Literacy Devel~pment Zones wi1 I provide information technology support and t 1

develbp partnerships with state and non-profit agencies middotenabling themmiddot to use the Pennsylvania

Information Network as a tool ~-o im~rove ~~~c~tm~s ~~r thir clients ~- ~ middot L __f)AP~ ~ tro () 1 Jl 1 -rmiddot i bull ti middot1 1 i T1 middot (tJmiddot-u )o

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3 middot

Pennsylvanias libraries - the Peoples University - ltan vitally and effectively prepare Pennsylvanians to compete and face the challenges of the 21stcentury

middot For a relativelyrnall state investment the power of libraries to help Pennsylvanians achieve literacy in five core areas as well as support downtown Main Street and neighborhood revitalization can be realized Thus the Pennsylvania Library Association recommends that a Literacy for the 21st Century initiative be launched This initiative redefines the librarys role within the context of five essentia I literacies that Penn1ylvanians must attain in cgtrder to succeed in the 21st Century as citizens parents stmicrodents employers employees and consumers

Literacy for the 21st Cen~ury

middot I Basic Literacy- Through strong print1 digital and online literacy collectioris links to practice GED tests eCourses and computer skills tutorials1 plus library-bas~d literacy programs for both children and adults lib~aries can help Pennsylvania achieve one of the highest literacy rates in the country1 a trained and skilled workforce a growing tax basemiddot economy and population middot

2 lnformation Literacy - Through state-of-the-art library ~omputer labs that have broadpand Internetcapability and trained tutors to assist citizens of all age~1 libraries can help Pennsylvanians learn how to use on line resources and current technology to improve their education to enhance their)ob skiJls an~ to participate fully in a digital society

3 Civic Literacy - Through regional program partnerships and public-forums plus strong

collections of fiction and nonfiction print audio video and digital materialsthat reflect

societys historic and contemporary issues public policies and events libraries can help citizens participate knowledgably and effectively in their middotcommunity

4 1ealth Literacy-Through community-based health care partnerships and programs plus by providing easily available and reliable collections such as online journals reports and streaming videos libraries can help citizens actively manage their own and theirfamilys wel1being1 making them effective partners with thei(health care providers aridreducing

bull bull bull bull bull j

costs

5~ Economic and Financial Literacy - Through strong print digital and online cilreer educational financial and legal collections as wellmiddotas commuqity-based programs and workshops libraries can help individuals andbusinesses exerdse financial disciplineandmiddot contribute to their communitys economic vitality

+( D i~ middot bullmiddot middot ~ Lmiddotl I

2

Statewide Initiative Benefits All Citizens

The 21st Century Literacy Initiative will be supported by statewide library prpgrarns that are high-tech high~touch and high-yield

( High-Tech Initiatives

Over the past decade1 the speed that information has migrated to the Internet is outpaced only by the speed that misinformation has migrated to the 1nternet Thus the expertise of Pennsylvanias information and technology library professionals will be used to develop a statewide Pennsylvania Information Network1 a virtual library that includes downloadable resurces and carefully selected commercial onlirie databases that provide citizens parents students~ employers employees and consumers with_ a weahh of reliable easy-to-find information The virtual library will be available through a free statewide eCard th~t will make library service~ available to every citizen for the first time in P~nnsylvania history

High-Touch Initiatives hyenh LlAQcw~l middot middot middot middot middot middot Building on the librarys role as community commons a third pl~ce11 where pmiddoteople lind opportunities to interact and connect with others high-tech initiatives will be balanced by middotenhanced library facilities that will revitalize and re-enmiddotergize Pennsylvanias downtowns ma1n

middot streets and neighborhoods There Pennsylvanias citizens will find librarians to help them with up9ated andmiddot expanded collections and improved access t~ public computing so that job seekers small business entreprenemiddoturs middotand others can use the library as their uofficeor business incubator Older communities will see renewed activity with libraries serving as a

town center ~f anchor that generates significant traffic and activity Community-based partnerships and public forums will engage and educate citizens on a variety of issues and topics

3 High-Yield lnitiativ~s Building on Ii bra ties rich tradition of collaboration middotand efficient operations both high~tech and high-touch initiatives will leverage economies of scale by using statewide buying power to improve acc~ss to digital and physical materials located in the states lSOO+ libr~ries

_~A uniform automated library management middotsystem ~ill iink academic ~nd public~library_ collectfons together making it easy for the public tofocate request and receive material

thrOligF1 an expanded statewide physical and digital delivery system Regi_onal Literacy Devel~pment Zones wi1 I provide information technology support and t 1

develbp partnerships with state and non-profit agencies middotenabling themmiddot to use the Pennsylvania

Information Network as a tool ~-o im~rove ~~~c~tm~s ~~r thir clients ~- ~ middot L __f)AP~ ~ tro () 1 Jl 1 -rmiddot i bull ti middot1 1 i T1 middot (tJmiddot-u )o

~ bull- 1 - __ _ r v t1 ~middotmiddot middot~ ()

bull bull ii I )

f ~ i f ~middot 1 middotbull _ - l L_~middotmiddot_Jmiddot 1middot bull bullbull _)

f~ t ~middot ( bull

I

middot1

H i)middot

3 middot

Statewide Initiative Benefits All Citizens

The 21st Century Literacy Initiative will be supported by statewide library prpgrarns that are high-tech high~touch and high-yield

( High-Tech Initiatives

Over the past decade1 the speed that information has migrated to the Internet is outpaced only by the speed that misinformation has migrated to the 1nternet Thus the expertise of Pennsylvanias information and technology library professionals will be used to develop a statewide Pennsylvania Information Network1 a virtual library that includes downloadable resurces and carefully selected commercial onlirie databases that provide citizens parents students~ employers employees and consumers with_ a weahh of reliable easy-to-find information The virtual library will be available through a free statewide eCard th~t will make library service~ available to every citizen for the first time in P~nnsylvania history

High-Touch Initiatives hyenh LlAQcw~l middot middot middot middot middot middot Building on the librarys role as community commons a third pl~ce11 where pmiddoteople lind opportunities to interact and connect with others high-tech initiatives will be balanced by middotenhanced library facilities that will revitalize and re-enmiddotergize Pennsylvanias downtowns ma1n

middot streets and neighborhoods There Pennsylvanias citizens will find librarians to help them with up9ated andmiddot expanded collections and improved access t~ public computing so that job seekers small business entreprenemiddoturs middotand others can use the library as their uofficeor business incubator Older communities will see renewed activity with libraries serving as a

town center ~f anchor that generates significant traffic and activity Community-based partnerships and public forums will engage and educate citizens on a variety of issues and topics

3 High-Yield lnitiativ~s Building on Ii bra ties rich tradition of collaboration middotand efficient operations both high~tech and high-touch initiatives will leverage economies of scale by using statewide buying power to improve acc~ss to digital and physical materials located in the states lSOO+ libr~ries

_~A uniform automated library management middotsystem ~ill iink academic ~nd public~library_ collectfons together making it easy for the public tofocate request and receive material

thrOligF1 an expanded statewide physical and digital delivery system Regi_onal Literacy Devel~pment Zones wi1 I provide information technology support and t 1

develbp partnerships with state and non-profit agencies middotenabling themmiddot to use the Pennsylvania

Information Network as a tool ~-o im~rove ~~~c~tm~s ~~r thir clients ~- ~ middot L __f)AP~ ~ tro () 1 Jl 1 -rmiddot i bull ti middot1 1 i T1 middot (tJmiddot-u )o

~ bull- 1 - __ _ r v t1 ~middotmiddot middot~ ()

bull bull ii I )

f ~ i f ~middot 1 middotbull _ - l L_~middotmiddot_Jmiddot 1middot bull bullbull _)

f~ t ~middot ( bull

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Find Out More

Builditlg on and expanding the traditional role of the library as the People1s University Aill

require a relatively small inve~tment that will yield-impressive staiewide results T9 discuss these initiatives1 funding model ideas and the investment required to make this vision a reality1

middot contaet Glenn Miller Executive Director Pennsylvania Library Association 7177667663

glennpalibrariesorg

The library stands for hope for learning for progress for literacy for selfshyimprovement and for civic engagement The library is a symbol of opp~rtunity1 citizenship equalitVi freedom ofspeec~ and freedom of thought and hence is a symbol for democracy itself It is a critical component in the free exchange ofinformation whjch is at the heart of our democracy~ Vartan Gregorian President Carnegie Corporation

I

4

Pennsylvania Library Association middot _libraries and ~1st Century Literacies How We ~et There- l~plemen~ation -Priorities May 13 2010 - Draft

Overview The Pennsylvania Library Association recognizes that delivering on the promise of Libraries and 21st Century Literacies will not be achieved overnight middotor even in a single year Achieving bull middot these ambitious goals will take time and th-e time to start is NOW

Pa LA recommend~ that a multiyear strategy be a_dopted with th

middot Organizational Priorities Pa LA must immediately organize its activities and infrastr t Century Literacies Initiative its top priority Pa LA mustmiddot

1 Identify and modify its existing bylaws org fully embrace an~ support the 21stmiddot Century L

middot 2 Create a PalA staffposition to SUJl

implementation

3 Obtain supplementary funding co organizational partners to fund Pa minimum of 3 years

4

5 vis oard of thoughtful and t at will meet at least twice a year to 1st Century Literacies Initiative

e the library community arid its alliesabout the 2ist middot Century Literacies Jnit the librarycommunityto adopt and use 2ist Century Literacies initiative mat~ ibrary board~ friends and advocates Palii must middot

1 21st Century liter~des materials andt~~I~- (both print and online) that can be apted and used to educate and engage a variety of audiences including -Pa LA membersmiddot local library boards and friends policy makers

middot news middotmedia~ foundations corporate partners etcmiddotmiddot -middot middot bull - bull _1 bullbull bull bull bull

2 Educate and empower key library constituencies and partners to use 21st Century middotmiddot middot Literacies materias - such as Commonwealth Libraries Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries the Gov_ernors Advisory Council onmiddot Library Development District Library Centers Association of Pennsylvania Publicmiddot Library Sy~tems Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium Keystone Library network Pennsylvania Community College Library Consortium etc

1

Public Opinion Leader Priorities PaLA must immediately begin to identify and engage public private and nonwprofit organizations that share ~imilar 21st Century Literacies interests for the purpose of advocacy program development funding and collaboration PaLA niust

1 middot1dentify1 engage and recruit potential regional foundatio~ partners regarding the 21st Century Literacies Initiative

2~ Identify engage and recruit special interest professional associations or organizations that are interested in achieving the objectives of each literacy area

3 Brief editorial boards of major newspapers regarding the 21st ~ntury Literacies Initiative

l 4 Identify engage and collaborate with businesses and c middot

in each of the five literacy areas

Public Policy-Maker Priorities PalA must immediately begin to identify and imple

and legislative branch support for 21st CenturyUter a new Governor in 2010 PaLAmust

1 Obtain support from the next GOl~Ul t with the next Governors transiti secretaries (especially those for Ed Development Public Welfare Banki

2

3

Long~R

Fundingmiddot pnce the policy a ry Liter es is in place a new funding strat~gy must be

middot middot adopted that levera can play to help citizens imp~ove 21st Century Literacies PaLA reco ing funding priorities

bull statewide 21st Century Literacies Initiatives which are both far-reaching int ectiveness in meeting Literacies Initiative goals and in delivering immediate cost savings for public and academic libraries

bull Second prioritYshould be given to establishing funding for capital improvements to libraries

bull Third priority should be given to boosting support for local library services either in the earliest year possible

2

Public Opinion Leader Priorities PaLA must immediately begin to identify and engage public private and nonwprofit organizations that share ~imilar 21st Century Literacies interests for the purpose of advocacy program development funding and collaboration PaLA niust

1 middot1dentify1 engage and recruit potential regional foundatio~ partners regarding the 21st Century Literacies Initiative

2~ Identify engage and recruit special interest professional associations or organizations that are interested in achieving the objectives of each literacy area

3 Brief editorial boards of major newspapers regarding the 21st ~ntury Literacies Initiative

l 4 Identify engage and collaborate with businesses and c middot

in each of the five literacy areas

Public Policy-Maker Priorities PalA must immediately begin to identify and imple

and legislative branch support for 21st CenturyUter a new Governor in 2010 PaLAmust

1 Obtain support from the next GOl~Ul t with the next Governors transiti secretaries (especially those for Ed Development Public Welfare Banki

2

3

Long~R

Fundingmiddot pnce the policy a ry Liter es is in place a new funding strat~gy must be

middot middot adopted that levera can play to help citizens imp~ove 21st Century Literacies PaLA reco ing funding priorities

bull statewide 21st Century Literacies Initiatives which are both far-reaching int ectiveness in meeting Literacies Initiative goals and in delivering immediate cost savings for public and academic libraries

bull Second prioritYshould be given to establishing funding for capital improvements to libraries

bull Third priority should be given to boosting support for local library services either in the earliest year possible

2

Library Code Beginning with the first year of PaLAs 21st Century Literacies initiative the SO-year-old Pennsylvania Library Codyen will need a dramatic overhaul to

bull bull j )

lta Elirninate archaic and out-of-date language as we_ll as Hbrary standards that are AOt

related to literacy objectives

e Establi~h flexible and responsive methodsthat establish literacy-related funding standards and outcomes

r

Proposed Budget Supplementary funding will need to be obtained from Pa LA me and sustain thi~ project

Preliminary Budget Yeart

Amount middot

Expenses PaLA Staff Marketing amp Education

Materials TotaJ middot

June Steering committee meeting

June Steering committee meeting

June Steering committee meeting

5 ructure (that indude June Steering committee meeting

June Steering committee meeting

6

7 Cabinet ieaders brfo middot ors Advis~ory Countil June 8 middot 8 Cabinet leaders brief Pcifnsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries June 11

9 Develop PalA position description

10ldentify lead internal partnersmiddotand request supplementary middot sumiddotmmer 2010

funding to support PalA initiative

11 Brief Past Presidents

12 Talk to HSLC about branding Project

13Appoint Libraries amp 21st Century Literacis Coordinating Cabinet Summer 2010

14 NextGen Task Force meets to review financeimplementation August

15Continue to colfaborate with and seek out possible literacy Summer-Fall 2010

3

Proposed Tasks corporate partners

16Cabinet leaders brief district library center administrators consultants and system administrators in August Leadership Conference

17Consider holding statewide regional meetings with Chapters to brief members on the plan

18Cabinet leaders brief academiclibrarians

19 Reach out to PSLA for approval

20 Reach out to CCAP County Governance Committee for formal endorsement (CCAP Conferences Fall- Hershey Spring shyHarrisburg August annual conference moves around state

21 Update Pa LA membership at October conference

22 Engage Gubernatorial transition teams

23 Cabinet leaders and NextGen Task Force memb opportunities to educate PaLA members thr

24Appoint Libraries amp 21st Century literacies A

26 Task Force leaders brief regional

27 Brief editorial boards

Time

October 2010

has taken some prelimi

1

middot2 s com ed to seeking additional funding for this ughout Pennsylvania

middot1 As these concepts wer eloped the NextGen Library AdvocacyTask Force has sought feedback and comment regarding proposed Literacies Initiatives from Commonwealth Libraries district library center administrators and consultants system administrators academic librarians

2 The Task Force has also obtained feedback and comments from its lobbying and public relations counsel regarding proposed Literacies Initiatives

4

Public Opinion-Leader Priorities

1 Pa LA has begun testing Literacies lnitiativia concepts with tV-opossible corporate

middotpartners Pfizer Inc and Ahold USA (Giart andMartinsgrocerystores) and has middot receivep favo~able comment and interest in part~erships middot middot

Public Policy-Maker Priorities

1 Prior to the May 2010 primary representatives from Pa LA and the NextGen Library Advocacy Task Force have had positive meetings with four gubernatorial candidates Lit_eracies Initiative concepts were tested with these individuals and rec~ivedfavorable reception middot

2 At meetings with gubernatorial candidates PaLA~as for ~

~part of transition team planning

3 middotpaLAs lobbying c~unsel strongly endorses the i and Librari~s Caucus

4 Pa LA middotofficials have started meeting with re Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania providing library services

I

5

Public Opinion-Leader Priorities

1 Pa LA has begun testing Literacies lnitiativia concepts with tV-opossible corporate

middotpartners Pfizer Inc and Ahold USA (Giart andMartinsgrocerystores) and has middot receivep favo~able comment and interest in part~erships middot middot

Public Policy-Maker Priorities

1 Prior to the May 2010 primary representatives from Pa LA and the NextGen Library Advocacy Task Force have had positive meetings with four gubernatorial candidates Lit_eracies Initiative concepts were tested with these individuals and rec~ivedfavorable reception middot

2 At meetings with gubernatorial candidates PaLA~as for ~

~part of transition team planning

3 middotpaLAs lobbying c~unsel strongly endorses the i and Librari~s Caucus

4 Pa LA middotofficials have started meeting with re Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania providing library services

I

5