NORTH WALES AREA LIBRARY

THE NORTH WALES AREA LIBRARY IS AN AWARD-WINNING LIBRARY, EARNING THE PA FORWARD GOLD STAR DESIGNATION. THIS ACHIEVEMENT DEMONSTRATES THE LIBRARY'S PERFORMANCE THAT MEASURES DEVIATION FROM THE AVERAGE IN LIBRARY VISITS, CIRCULATION, PROGRAM ATTENDANCE, AND PUBLIC INTERNET USAGE. THE MISSION OF THE NWAL IS SHARING INFORMATION AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIFE-LONG LEARNING AND ENRICHING THE LIVES OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE. THE LIBRARY IS A COMMUNITY CENTER SERVING THE NORTH PENN REGION. NWAL CONTINUES TO EXPAND SERVICES TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF OUR FAMILIES TO FOSTER LIFE-LONG LEARNING. NORTH WALES AREA LIBRARY OFFERS A COMBINATION OF VIRTUAL AS WELL AS TRADITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR PATRONS TO BECOME ENGAGED IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. THE LIBRARY WEBSITE, WWW,NORTHWALESLIBRARY.ORG HAS RESOURCES FOR ALL AGES WHICH CAN BE VISITED FROM ANY LOCATION. E-RESOURCES INCLUDE MANGO (A FOREIGN LANGUAGE COURSE), THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, TUMBLEBOOKS, EBOOKS AND MAGAZINES AND MUCH MORE. NWAL PARTNERS WITH MANY INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS GARDENING CLUBS, YOGA, MARTIAL ARTS, MUSIC, ART, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITIES UNDER THE LIBRARY'S AEGIS. IN ADDITION, NWAL OFFERS PUBLIC USE OF A COLLECTION IN EXCESS OF 50,700 PRINT AND OVER 31,000 ELECTRONIC ITEMS, ACCESS TO HOLDINGS OF OTHER PENNSYLVANIA LIBRARIES THROUGH INTER-LIBRARY LOAN, E-LITERATURE, ACCESS TO COMPUTERS AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY, AND LITERACY AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES. 13 PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY USE. PRINTING, COPYING AND FAX SERVICE ARE AVAILABLE. AN ESTIMATED 4,000 QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED YEARLY BY LIBRARY STAFF. TO FULFILL ITS MISSION, THE LIBRARY PARTNERS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. IT PROVIDES CURRICULUM SUPPORT FOR AREA SCHOOLS AND HAS DISTRIBUTED FREE FOOD TO STUDENTS IN THE NORTH PENN SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE USDA/PA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SUMMER FOOD SERVICES PROGRAM. ABINGTON LANSDALE HOSPITAL - JEFFERSON, EINSTEIN MEDICAL CENTER MONTGOMERY, THE VNA FOUNDATION AND MANNA ON MAIN STREET HAVE WORKED WITH THE LIBRARY TO CREATE PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS RELATING TO HEALTH ISSUES AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES. NWAL HOSTS BLOOD DRIVES FOR THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, SPONSORS SEMINARS ON MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY PLANNING THROUGH THE APPRISE PROGRAM OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGING, AND OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE TO MINOR OFFENDERS THROUGH THE DISTRICT COURT. TWO COMMUNITY ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR LIBRARY PROGRAMMING AND PUBLIC USE. THE LIBRARY SERVES OVER 13,000 MEMBERS. THE FACILITY IS SCHEDULED TO BE OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK AND OPERATES WITH OVER 20 VOLUNTEERS AND NINE STAFF PEOPLE. GOVERNMENT FUNDING ONLY ACCOUNTS FOR 28% OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET. THE GENEROSITY OF ITS PATRONS, LOCAL BUSINESSES AND GRANTS IS VITAL FOR THE LIBRARY OPERATIONS.