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Literacy for Change

YCL's Big Day of Giving: October 2, 2026

Literacy for Change is an annual, community-powered day of giving. Your donations provide critical funding to support literacy and strengthen lifelong learning across our 13 connected libraries.

Literacy is the foundation for education, career success, and overall well-being. By ensuring access to books, learning tools, and essential resources, Literacy for Change:

Supports early childhood learning programs
Encourages career exploration
Enhances print and digital resources
Expands community access to technology
Facilitates lifelong learning

Today’s literacy extends beyond reading — it includes financial literacy, digital skills, and access to trusted health information. YCL empowers our communities with these skills.

Your donation ensures that every person in York County—regardless of age, income, or background—has access to books, knowledge, and learning opportunities.

A big thank you to all our partner foundations, media partners, and literacy leaders!

Give Now

Our Goal

Help us reach our goal of raising $350,000 for library programs, services, and collections! Every dollar donated supports growth of literacy in York County.

Our Progress

Our Goal

$350,000

Making a Real-Life Impact

The library helps people every day. Whether you're here to find your next great read, spend time as a family, access the internet, or cool off from the heat, the library is here to provide. Watch the videos below to hear stories from community members around the county.

Want to get involved? Help us raise critical funds on October 2!

Learn More

The Reality of Library Funding

MYTH

Libraries in Pennsylvania are fully funded by federal, state and local taxes.

FACT

Public funding covers only 70% of York County Libraries’ operational costs. While we receive a small portion of federal funds, the majority of public funding comes from state and local government.

Even then, Pennsylvania is ranked 41st out of 50 states in library funding. It is in last place among all northeast US states.

MYTH

The library receives more funding when people use its services frequently.

FACT

Library funding is not directly tied to its usage.

Libraries are often included in state, county, or local/municipality budgets. However, this funding is typically set at a fixed amount, which means it is not guaranteed to increase even when libraries have consistently high usage.

MYTH

Each year, state funding for public libraries increases to keep pace with inflation.

FACT

Not true! PA state funding for public libraries has not kept pace with inflation for over two decades.

In 2001, the state allocated over $94 million to public libraries. For comparison, that’s the equivalent of ~$177 million dollars in 2026.
In 2026, PA libraries received $84.2 million. That’s less than HALF of what it was in 2001.

MYTH

Income from late & lost fees can cover gaps in government funding.

FACT

Late & lost fees cover less than half a percent (<0.05%) of the library’s annual budget.

$29 Million

Value of materials loaned

1.4 Million

Items borrowed (physical & digital)

100,000+

Kids, teens, and adults attended library programs

616,150

People visited our libraries

363,798

Items moved through our delivery vans

167,000+

WiFi sessions provided

Libraries Matter More than Ever

While public funding has fallen, library use has soared. In 2025, York County Libraries served as essential community hubs, connecting people with knowledge, opportunity, and one another. These numbers tell a powerful story.

Countywide programs and services, such as SummerQuest, inter-library delivery, computers/printers, and WiFi, rely on both public and private support to continue to grow and flourish.

Every Gift Helps

Whether you contribute $5, $15, or $1,500, every donation supports literacy in York County.

$15

Buys a children's book for one of our libraries' collections

Did you know that eAudiobooks typically cost the library between $50-$100 per book? Plus, these books often need to be repurchased after a certain number of checkouts.

$50

Provides access to a digital eAudiobook on Libby

$500

Provides four children's programs tailored to sensory needs

Special guests and performers will visit all 13 libraries in one summer! These programs often align with the SummerQuest theme and are some of our most popular programs each year.

$1,000

Brings SummerQuest educational programs to life across York County

Give Now

Literacy: It's MORE than reading & writing

We often associate literacy with reading and writing skills. In reality, literacy – and all its forms – is an integral part of life from birth and beyond.

The Pennsylvania Library Association’s PA Forward® Star Program defines five forms of essential literacy. Libraries across the state use these literacies to guide the programs, services, and support they offer to the community.

Watch this short 2-minute video about the five literacies, as explained by York County Libraries’ President, Robert F. Lambert.

More about the Five Literacies

Basic Literacy is the foundational literacy that builds skills and competency in reading, writing, math, and supports overall life-skill development.

More about Basic Literacy

Information Literacy is defined as: “Having the ability to express, connect with and understand knowledge and communication through comprehensive and innovative formats; the ability to distinguish between credible and non-credible sources; recognizing when information is needed to further oneself, an objective or a project.”

In a time when misinformation spreads quickly and artificial intelligence is everywhere, this literacy skill is essential for navigating the 21st century world.

More about Information Literacy

Civic & Social Literacy is defined as: “Engaging in discourse while remaining respectful of other individuals of varying opinions; understanding the importance of community engagement which allows individuals to interact with one another, in a participatory manner; invoking societal change.”

At our libraries, most programs and events play a huge role in supporting this literacy. This can be seen in programs such as:

Book discussion clubs
Craft groups
Panels and forums
And all other group-based events!

More about Civic & Social Literacy

Health Literacy is defined as: “Having the ability to make informed decisions in relation to an individual’s physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual health; Also applies to caregivers understanding the health information of a loved one.”

More about Health Literacy

Financial Literacy is defined as: “Having the knowledge and understanding necessary to make informed fiscal/economic decisions for personal life planning and business interests including responsible budgeting, spending and saving skills.”

More about Financial Literacy

How YOU can Support Literacy for Change

As a community member, you have the power to make a greater impact during our big day of giving! Check out three ways you can support Literacy for Change below:

karen-and-daughter-holding-arrow-signs-for-literacy-for-change-v3

Help us Fundraise!

Become a Library Champion

Commit to helping YCL raise awareness and money.

Set a personal goal, tell your library story, and share your donation page with family and friends! It’s simple!

Get Started

Show support with your small biz!

Get your Small or Local Business Involved

Are you a business owner? Help support Literacy for Change!

• Creating a custom menu item or specialty drink and donate a portion of the proceeds.

• Host a special fundraising/shopping night

• Share YCL’s social media posts.

• Display flyers in your storefront.

Ask how you can help!

child-wearing-duck-costume-holding-literacy-for-change-sign

Tag Us! #LiteracyforChange

Amplify our Message

Help us reach more people and share the value of our libraries! Like and share posts from YCL Facebook and Instagram.

Or, take the extra step: share your own social media post and use our campaign hashtag: #LiteracyForChange.

Community Events & Happenings

From September to October 2, York County Libraries is teaming up with a variety of local businesses to help generate excitement for Literacy for Change. See the calendar of events below!

See the full event calendar!

Eat, Drink, & Shop Local

These local businesses are supporting Literacy for Change! A portion of their sales will be donated to the fundraiser.

Special Fundraising Days

September 4: Order a cheesesteak at Splitshift in York on First Friday
September 5 & 19: Get a car wash by Auggie’s Shine Master LLC
September 12: Pick up a sweet treat at Jacquelyn’s Bakeshop & Cafe in Hanover
September 18: Order the ‘Once Upon a Latte’ at The Hive Coffee House & Cafe in Dover
September 23-24: Get a hot dog from Stage Deli’s hot dog cart at the square in downtown York
September 28: Grab a bite to eat at Sign of the Horse in East York, Red Lion, or Hanover
…and more!

All Month Long

Sept 1 – Oct 2: Order the ‘Library Lover’s Lager’ at the Dolphin & Anchor Brew Pub (Aldus Brewing Co.) in Hanover
Sept 1-30: Get the ‘Literacy Latte’ at Britton Coffee Co. in York
Sept 1-30: Purchase a book from Moonlit Hollow Books at Sips Cafe in downtown York

See all events

Join the Literacy for Change Reading Challenge: Sept 1-Oct 2

Let’s boost literacy in York County in the best way we know how – reading!

Between 9/1-10/2, take the Literacy for Change Reading Challenge on Beanstack and help us reach our community goal of reading 350,000 minutes!

Every minute read is another minute closer to our ultimate goal of increasing literacy and access to library resources in York County!

Give Day: October 2

Livestreams

We’re going LIVE on YCL’s YouTube channel and Facebook page on October 2! Tune into any of our scheduled livestreams between:

8-10am
11am-1pm
2-4pm

More details coming soon!

Community Events

More details coming soon!

Subscribe to YCL's Youtube Channel

Frequently Asked Questions

You can donate securely online at give.LiteracyforChange.org using:

Credit/debit cards
ACH/bank transfers
Text to Give: Text L4C to 44-321
Apple Pay & Google Pay
PayPal & Venmo

Donate

Yes! Checks should be made payable to York County Libraries with “Literacy for Change” in the memo and mailed to 159 E Market Street, York, PA 17401. Cash should be brought to a library location in an envelope and given to the circulation desk.

Please write Literacy for Change on the outside of the envelope, and include your name, address and email so that we can properly acknowledge your gift.

Yes! The donation platform is mobile friendly.

Absolutely! Businesses and groups can:

Offer an employee matching gift
Make a direct contribution

Email literacyforchange@yorklibraries.org to discuss partnership opportunities.

Yes! York County Libraries is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Tax ID: 23-7394108). Contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution.