The mission of Penn National Insurance, in part, is to help people feel secure. Their charitable and civic involvement build security by bolstering the community from the ground up, and Dauphin County Library System has long been a grateful recipient of Penn National Insurance’s generosity.

Now, Penn National Insurance has recommitted to a monumental show of support for The Library, repeating for 2023 the $100,000 Earned Income Tax Credit donation first made to The Library for 2022.

“Our charitable commitment is centered on supporting organizations and activities that provide educational opportunities for children, specifically at-risk children, as well as those in disadvantaged situations,” said Jacquelyn Anderson, Penn National Insurance Chief Finance Officer and Treasurer, and a past Library board member. “Ultimately, we’re hopeful that our efforts will lead to long-term security. Our mission and values very much align with those of the library.”

Through Pennsylvania’s EITC program, businesses earn tax credits for contributing to education-related causes. The Library plans to earmark this year’s donation from Penn National Insurance for system-wide expansion of STEAM programming – education for children in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

Penn National Insurance’s initial, 2022 donation financed pilot testing of STEAM education at McCormick Riverfront Library, where last fall’s expansion created a dedicated children’s area. Original initiatives included purchase of augmented reality computers that allow students to safely experience virtual lessons in 3-D, such as animal dissection and exploring concepts of electricity.

But how to expand? Library staff were wondering. Then, Penn National Insurance renewed its donation.

“I don’t think we could have jumped for joy high enough,” said Library Public Services Manager Lori Milach.

Discussions over how to invest the funds are in their early stages, but possibilities include:

• Updating children’s computers to help close the community’s digital divide between children who have access to current technology and those who do not.
• Buying sewing machines and materials for classes teaching teenagers how to sew. “It goes beyond making sure they’re prepared while they’re in school,” says Milach. “It also gives them the skills they need when they exit school – workforce development skills as well as life skills.”
• Expanding STEAM programming more deeply into Libraries throughout Dauphin County.
• Supporting the Charlie Cart project, which provides education on food and the STEM-focused concepts behind cooking. The Library has already purchased a Charlie Cart. Additional funding helps buy the materials needed to keep it sustainable. As Northern Dauphin Library continues working with its new Mary’s Community Garden, the Charlie Cart Project could be tied into community education about nutrition and preventing food insecurity.

“These are all opportunities we would not have without the EITC,” Milach said.

As a member of The Library’s board of directors for nine years, including four as treasurer, Anderson was instrumental in further strengthening a longstanding partnership between The Library and Penn National Insurance.

During her terms, Penn National Insurance offered financial support, launched the first EITC donation, and donated space for The Library’s printing operation, which freed space in the newly renovated McCormick Riverfront Library for public use.

First2Know talked with Anderson to learn more about this symbiotic partnership.

Why does Penn National Insurance support The Library?

We are committed to strengthening our communities through financial support as well as

providing employees with opportunities to volunteer. Our mission and values align with The Library’s goals. We want to help people feel secure, and The Library reinforces that by providing resources and a safe place to help with their long-term security.

How do your missions intersect?

We have always focused on helping strengthen the communities where Penn National Insurance operates. In Harrisburg, that includes supporting organizations that focus on providing children with educational opportunities. We support the Harrisburg Public Schools Foundation, the Joshua Group, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters, among others.

The Library is a key provider of early child education and also serves the same kids that these other groups reach. We both believe that the earlier children are educated, the more likely they will be successful in the long term. Because they are our neighbor and through my time on the board we knew there was a need, we were happy to show our support.

How do you anticipate The Library will use the funds to sustain and advance existing programming?

We are confident that The Library is going to use the donations where they think there’s a need, and to get the biggest return on the investment. The summer reading program for kids and the STEAM programming are two areas in particular that the investment will help strengthen the community.

What is the importance of teaching young people life skills as well as academics?

A lot of people look at The Library as somewhere to check out books and take them home, but The Library serves many different purposes. Kids and families come into The Library to use the computers, and they have access to information and resources they can’t get at home or where they live.

The Library is much, more than just the traditional concept of a library. It offers a wide range of tools, resources, and programing that can make a difference to young people.

Where does the partnership go from here?

We’re very much looking forward to growing our partnership with The Library beyond financial support and providing office space. We want to promote opportunities for employees to volunteer by helping staff, donating books, stocking shelves – whatever they can do to help. I know that our employees will respond because they’re always looking for ways to give back.