The Free Library of Springfield Township received a Best Practices Award from the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) at the recent annual association conference. The award honors the creation and development of an innovative and exemplary youth services program this past year.
Since 2004, Pennsylvania libraries have been recognized for their exceptional services to youth (birth to 18) with the Best Practices Award. The Youth Services Division of PaLA has a Best Practices Committee to choose these annual awards. Winners (and honorable mentions) are selected in the following eight categories: Display & Design, High School, Infant/Toddler, STEM, School Age, Preschool, Middle School, and Family/Multi-generational.
At the 2023 conference, Amy Ambler, Head of Youth Services at the library, received the award in the School Age category for the library's annual Holiday Art Market program. This program helps children build math, budgeting, and other financial literacy skills in a fun, hands-on way. Children receive a set amount of play money and use it to "buy" arts and crafts supplies to make a project or gift. They practice making change, prioritizing what to purchase, and even learn how to negotiate. The program is designed for children in grades K to 5. Look for more information this coming December about how to participate in this year's event.
Congratulations to Amy and the library on their award!
