PA Forward: Money Smart Week
(April 22-29)
Michelle Georgetti
PA Forward envisions “… a Pennsylvania where citizens are informed consumers and individuals, small businesses, and organizations contribute to the economic vitality of their community through innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development.”
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” –Benjamin Franklin
Program Ideas
Financial literacy covers a wide range of matters which gives libraries the opportunity to play a huge role in teaching patrons to become proficient in handling finances. The American Library Association lists quite a few topic ideas on their website including:
- Basic Banking Services
- Credit and Debt Management
- Estate Planning
- Housing/Mortgages/Foreclosures
- Identity Theft/Investment Scams/Financial Fraud
- Insurance
- Personal Finance 101/Budgeting
- Retirement Planning
- Savvy Shopping and Bargain Hunting
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship
- Taxes
- Unemployment and Job Transitioning
For even more ideas and resources for planning and promoting Money Smart Week, check on their website.
Promotional Materials
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), as a national partner in Money Smart Week this year, is providing free resources to libraries. The CFPB wants to help public libraries deliver information to patrons seeking unbiased information about their financial decisions. The resources available include free print materials, program ideas, marketing materials, staff training, a guidebook, and online resources.
For more ideas on how to promote the PA Forward Literacies in your library, visit the PA Forward Commons and be sure to add your programs to the database by completing the PA Forward Commons Submission Form!
Website Resources:
American Library Association’s webpage on Money Smart Week: http://www.ala.org/offices/money-smart-week
Financial education resources from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/library-resources/
Free publications from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for libraries: https://pueblo.gpo.gov/CFPBLibs/CFPBLibsPubs.php
PA Forward’s Financial Literacy webpage: http://www.paforward.org/home/financialliteracy.aspx
