Libraries provide financial literacy programming during Money Smart Week @ your library, April 5-12

For Immediate Release
Mon, 04/07/2014

Contact:

Michael Dowling

Director

Chapter Relations Office

American Library Association

312-280-3200

mdowling@ala.org

CHICAGO Seven hundred libraries, of all types, will be helping people become money smart next week, April 5–12. Money Smart Week @ your library is a partnership initiative between the American Library Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to expand Money Smart Week® to libraries across the country. Libraries will present programs for all ages, and all stages of life, related to personal financial literacy.

Libraries partner with community groups, financial institutions, government agencies, educational organizations and other financial experts to help consumers learn to better manage their personal finances. General topic areas range from “Credit and Debt Management” to “Kids and Money” to “Retirement Planning” to “Savvy Shopping and Bargain Hunting.”

It’s never too early to start learning about creating good financial habits. The Hancock War Memorial (Md.) Library will host “Reading Makes Cents,” an interactive program provided by the Washington County 4-H Youth Development Program. Kids will develop fiscal intelligence through hands-on activities and a connection to children’s literature.

The Archer Branch of Alachua County (Fla) Library District will take teens back in time with “Beads, Barter, and Banking.” Teens will create their own jewelry while learning how beads were used for trade and barter to segue into how to better balance spending and saving in the 21st century.

Women can face unique financial circumstances. “Five Money Questions’ at the South Regional (Ariz.) Library of Maricopa County will engage participants to ensure they have a strong financial strategy that fits their lifestyles and needs.

“Why am I a 678?” Greenville County (S.C.) Library’s program will teach adults strategies to manage their credit standings.

For many libraries and communities, financial literacy programs in Spanish or other languages are critically important.

The Rhode Island Library Association is partnering with the Providence Housing Authority to host a bilingual “Banking & Breakfast Expo.”

Money Smart Week @ your library is not just for public libraries. More and more community college, college and university libraries are leading the way to help educate students, as well as faculty and staff, be better prepared for financial challenges.

The Olin (Mo.) Library at Washington University in St. Louis is partnering with other parts of the university to host evening “Student Pizza Party.” While munching on their favorite pizza, students will hear from social entrepreneur Adi Redzic of iOMe Challenge, a nationwide financial education movement for college students and Millennials at large, and from Andy Meyer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

So check out the Money Smart Week consumer map site to see what programming might be @ your library.