2011

ALA partners with the Federal Bank of Chicago to Money Smart Week® @ your library a national initiative

The American Library Association (ALA) joined in a partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to make Money Smart Week® @ your library a national initiative, which was first held April 2-9, 2011. Celebrating its 12th year in 2013 (and its third as a national ALA initiative), the Money Smart Week® mission is to promote personal financial literacy. Libraries of all types in the Midwest have participated in Money Smart Week®, partnering with community groups, financial institutions, government agencies, educational organizations and other financial experts to help consumers learn to better manage their personal finances. ALA and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago have launched a special section of the Money Smart Week® website devoted to libraries, with information on how to participate, as well as toolkits, resources and examples of programming for public, academic, school and special libraries.

"Money Smart Week began as a coordinated effort of the Money Smart Advisory Council, a diverse group of more than 40 Chicago-area organizations working together to promote personal financial literacy.

The Chicago Fed convened the Council's first meeting in July 2001, during which members agreed to share resources and ideas to achieve greater public awareness of the programs and services available in the city of Chicago.

The result was Money Smart Week 2002 — six days of focused presentations by community groups, financial institutions, government agencies, educational organizations, and financial experts, all designed to help consumers learn to better manage their personal finances." Read more from the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank

“ALA and libraries promote all types of literacy, and the past few years have highlighted the need for everyone to be financially literate,” said Roberta Stevens, [former] ALA President. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to make this a national initiative and encourage all libraries to mark their calendars now to celebrate and participate in Money Smart Week @ your library.”
“The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago looks forward to partnering with the American Library Association to bring financial education to consumers across America,” said Doug Tillett, the bank’s vice president in charge of public affairs. “Since the start of Money Smart Week almost 10 years ago, libraries have been instrumental in helping people learn to make informed decisions about managing their money.” Read More

"The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago began partnering with the American Library Association (ALA) in 2011 as part of Money Smart Week’s expansion. Member libraries are invited to participate during the scheduled week through state planning teams. If no state planning team exists they are encouraged to participate independently through Money Smart Week @ your library." Read more and see resources