Lebanon County libraries have been awarded a $92,500 grant from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation and the American Library Association as part of the nationwide Smart investing@your library® Program
(Lebanon, PA) – February 17, 2015— Lebanon Community Library, together with Annville Free Library, Matthews Public Library, Palmyra Public Library, Myerstown Community Library and Richland Community Library, announced that access to better financial and investor information and educational programs are coming to Lebanon County with the launch of Smart investing@your library®.
Lebanon Community Library District Center was one of 21 public libraries nationwide chosen through a competitive process to receive a grant from the American Library Association (ALA) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation as part of Smart investing@your library®. This prestigious grant will help to build the capacity of the six county libraries to provide effective, unbiased financial and investor education to the community.
Lebanon County libraries will partner with Lebanon Valley College, HACC-Lebanon Campus, the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Lebanon County LINK to undertake a financial transitions initiative aimed at supporting: (1) young adults who are transitioning from financially dependent living to making independent financial decisions; and (2) older adults who are transitioning to unfamiliar technology-based transactions, such as electronic bill pay, tax filing, account management and interactions with government agencies. Lebanon County LINK is a collaborative funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to provide services and support for people over the age of 60.
“It’s an honor to be tapped for this generous grant from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. The funding will make an array of free, unbiased financial information programs possible in our community,” said Linda Nicholson, District Consultant.
Anne Hall, System Administrator, added, “Smart investing@your library® gives us the chance to innovate and expand current programming. We’re excited by the prospect of collaborating in new ways with trusted community partners to deliver information that helps people build a brighter financial future.”
“The libraries participating in this grant program make reliable financial information and education readily accessible in their communities,” said Gerri Walsh, President of the FINRA Foundation. “Libraries are paying close attention to their communities’ needs and aspirations, and can respond in creative, sustainable ways to help residents achieve financial goals for themselves and their families.”
Smart investing@your library® is a partnership between the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association, and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. The program supports public libraries across the country in their efforts to meet financial education needs at the local level.
Established in 1876, the American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world. It strives to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.
FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through effective and efficient regulation and complementary compliance and technology-based services.
The FINRA Investor Education Foundation supports innovative research and educational projects that give underserved Americans the knowledge, skills and tools necessary for financial success throughout life. For details about grant programs and other FINRA Foundation initiatives, visit www.finrafoundation.org.
–submitted by Anne Hall, System Administrator, Lebanon County Libraries