Thinking Money: A Traveling Exhibition to U.S. Public Libraries

Thinking Money

Money affects all Americans, but many of us lack the knowledge we need to make smart financial choices that will prepare us for whatever the future brings. Thinking Money strived to teach tweens, teens and their parents, caregivers and educators about financial literacy topics—like saving, spending and avoiding fraud—in a way that is not only understandable, but fun.

Thinking Money was a museum-quality traveling exhibition that traveled to 50 U.S. public libraries between 2016 and 2018. Through an adventure-themed storyline, interactive iPad content and other fun, hands-on activities, the exhibition explored the following themes:

  • Wants vs. needs
  • Earning and paying interest
  • Preparing for rainy/sunny day
  • Imagining your future self
  • Avoiding financial fraud
  • Thinking money

Thinking Money was created by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation in partnership with the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office.


Selected Sites

The following sites received the Thinking Money exhibition.

Arkansas

Bentonville Public Library, Bentonville

Arizona

Southeast Regional Library, Gilbert
Yuma County Library District, Yuma

California

San Diego Public Library, San Diego
Cerritos Library, Cerritos
Santa Clara County Library District/Saratoga Library, Saratoga

Colorado

Pueblo City-County Library District-Rawlings Library, Pueblo

Connecticut

Bridgeport Public Library, Bridgeport
East Hartford Public Library, East Hartford

Florida

Manatee County Public Library, Bradenton
Orange County Library System, Orlando
Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale

Georgia

Winder Public Library, Winder, GA

Illinois

Homewood Public Library, Homewood
Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg

Indiana

Knox County Public Library, Vincennes

Kentucky

Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring
Laurel County Public Library, London

Massachusetts

Framingham Public Library, Framingham

Maryland

Frederick County Public Libraries, Frederick

Michigan

Ypsilanti District Library, Ypsilanti
Willard Library, Battle Creek

Missouri

University City Public Library, University City
Mid-Continent Public Library, Independence

Montana

Billings Public Library, Billings
Missoula Public Library, Missoula

North Carolina

Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center, Fayetteville

Nebraska

Morton-James Public Library, Nebraska City
Lincoln City Libraries, Lincoln

New Jersey

Maplewood Memorial Library, Maplewood

New York

Poughkeepsie Public Library District, Poughkeepsie
Half Hollow Hills Community Library, Dix Hills
Tompkins County Public Library, Ithaca
Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County, Rochester

Ohio

Dayton Metro Library, Dayton
Lakewood Public Library, Lakewood
Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, Toledo
The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Cincinnati

Oklahoma

Lawton Public Library, Lawton

Oregon

Salem Public Library, Salem
Multnomah County Library - Gresham Branch, Gresham

Pennsylvania

Peters Township Public Library, McMurray

Tennessee

Chattanooga Public Library, Chattanooga
Memphis Public Library & Information Center, Memphis

Texas

Plano Public Library System, Plano

Virginia

Slover Library, Norfolk
Chesterfield County Library, Chesterfield

Washington

Spokane County Library District, Spokane

Wisconsin

Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee

Wyoming

Laramie County Library System, Cheyenne