Library’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals Recognized Through Literacy Award

Executive Summary: Advancing Quality Education and Economic Security

The Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library has received the 2025 PA Forward Adult Literacy Programming Award for its program, “Retirement: Making Your Money Last.” This recognition highlights the library’s significant contributions to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 1 (No Poverty), by providing essential financial literacy and lifelong learning opportunities to the community.

Programmatic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The library’s consistent success in adult programming demonstrates a strategic alignment with multiple SDGs, aimed at fostering a more sustainable and equitable community. Key goals addressed include:

• SDG 1: No Poverty – Empowering individuals with financial management skills to prevent poverty in later life.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Promoting physical and mental health through community engagement programs.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – Providing accessible, inclusive, and equitable lifelong learning opportunities for all adults.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Equipping citizens with the financial literacy necessary for economic stability and growth.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaborating with private sector experts and professional associations to deliver high-impact programming.

Analysis of Award-Winning Initiatives

The library’s multi-year recognition from the PA Forward Program underscores a sustained commitment to community development across several key literacy areas.

1. 2025 Financial Literacy Program: “Retirement: Making Your Money Last”
   This award-winning program directly supports SDG 1 and SDG 8 by providing crucial knowledge on long-term financial planning. By educating community members on managing retirement funds, the library helps ensure economic security and reduces the risk of poverty among the elderly.
2. 2023 Financial Literacy Program: “Plan Today for Tomorrow”
   The previous year’s award for an estate planning series also contributed to SDG 1 and SDG 8. This initiative provided residents with the tools for intergenerational wealth management and financial resilience.
3. 2022 Health Literacy Program: “Walking Librarian”
   This program addressed SDG 3 by promoting physical activity and community well-being, demonstrating the library’s holistic approach to supporting a healthy and sustainable community.

Strengthening Community Through Partnerships (SDG 17)

The success of these programs is a testament to effective multi-stakeholder partnerships. The “Retirement: Making Your Money Last” program was a collaboration between librarian Gina Vitale and financial advisor Frank Pinto of Edward Jones. This partnership between a public institution and a private sector expert exemplifies the collaborative approach required to achieve the SDGs. The library’s engagement with the Pennsylvania Library Association’s PA Forward Initiative further strengthens this network for sustainable development.

Future Outlook and Continued Commitment

The library’s ongoing dedication to these goals will be celebrated at the upcoming Pennsylvania Library Association conference, where Director Julene Diaz will accept the award. Furthermore, the library is set to receive its fifth Gold Star library award, signifying its excellence in promoting the five essential literacies (basic, information, civic and social, health, and financial) that form the foundation for achieving Quality Education (SDG 4) and building sustainable communities (SDG 11).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article’s central theme is adult education and literacy, which directly aligns with SDG 4. The library is recognized for its “adult literacy programming” and its excellence in five key literacies, including basic, information, and financial literacy. This focuses on providing lifelong learning opportunities for the community.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article mentions that the library won an award in 2022 for health literacy with its “Walking Librarian” program. This initiative promotes physical activity and health awareness, connecting directly to the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The financial literacy programs, such as “Retirement: Making Your Money Last” and the “Plan Today for Tomorrow” estate planning series, are designed to equip adults with the skills to manage their money effectively. This empowers individuals to achieve long-term financial security, which is a key strategy in preventing poverty.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights collaboration between different entities to achieve these educational goals. The library (a public institution) partners with a financial advisor, Frank Pinto, from a private company (Edward Jones). This public-private partnership to deliver community programming is an example of SDG 17 in action.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 4.6 (under SDG 4): “By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.”

  The library’s focus on “adult literacy programming” across five key literacies, including basic and financial literacy, directly contributes to this target by improving the skills of the adult population in its community.

• Target 3.4 (under SDG 3): “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.”

  The “Walking Librarian” program, which promotes physical activity, is a preventative health measure that helps reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases, aligning with the prevention aspect of this target.

• Target 1.4 (under SDG 1): “By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources…”

  The financial literacy programs on retirement and estate planning provide community members with the knowledge needed to manage and control their economic resources, which is essential for achieving the goal outlined in this target.

• Target 17.17 (under SDG 17): “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.”

  The collaboration between the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library, financial advisor Frank Pinto of Edward Jones, and the Pennsylvania Library Association’s PA Forward Initiative is a clear example of a public-private partnership aimed at community development, as described in this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 4.6: The article implies progress can be measured by the number and variety of adult literacy programs offered. It explicitly names three distinct, award-winning programs: “Retirement: Making Your Money Last,” the “Walking Librarian,” and the “Plan Today for Tomorrow” series. The reception of the “2025 PA Forward Adult Literacy Programming Award” also serves as a qualitative indicator of success.
• Indicator for Target 3.4: An implied indicator is the implementation of health and wellness promotion programs. The article identifies the existence of the “Walking Librarian” program as a concrete action taken by the library to promote health literacy and well-being.
• Indicator for Target 1.4: The provision of financial literacy education programs is a clear indicator. The article mentions that financial advisor Frank Pinto has been “offering financial programming at the library since fall 2024,” indicating a sustained effort to educate the community on managing economic resources.
• Indicator for Target 17.17: The article points to the existence of a formal partnership between the library and an external expert (Frank Pinto) to deliver programming. This collaboration is a direct measure of the library’s engagement in partnerships to achieve its goals.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: therecordherald.com