Mark Your Calendars for Money Smart Week @ your library, April 2-9, 2011

The American Library Association (ALA) has joined in a partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to make “Money Smart Week @ your library,” held April 2-9, 2011, a national initiative.

Celebrating its 10th year in 2011, Money Smart Week’s 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 libraries promote all types of literacy, and the past few years have highlighted the need for everyone to be financially literate,” said Roberta Stevens, 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.”

“Our participation in Money Smart Week Wisconsin over the last three years has brought hundreds of new patrons into the library and has helped us forge new community partnerships,” reported Lori Burgess, support services coordinator, Fond du Lac (Wis.) Public Library.

ALA and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago will be launching a special section of the Money Smart Week website on Nov. 1 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.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks across the United States that, together with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., serve as the central bank for the United States.
(American Libraries, ilove.libraries.org)