The DuPage Library System has joined a group of organizations who are involved in collaborating and coordinating efforts to bring the Money Smart Week campaign to DuPage County.
Money Smart Week® (MSW) began in 2002 as a coordinated effort of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Money Smart Advisory Council to share resources and ideas to achieve greater public awareness of the programs and services available in the city of Chicago. Today it is a public awareness campaign designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. Hundreds of organizations across the state and Midwest including businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies and the media come together once a year to stress the importance of financial literacy, inform consumers where they can get help, and provide free educational seminars and activities throughout the week. Programming is offered to all demographics and income levels and covers all facets of personal finance from establishing a budget to first time home buying to estate planning.
The DuPage Money Smart Committee is compiling a print brochure featuring activities occurring during Money Smart Week (April 18-25, 2009) that are educational in nature and relate to improving knowledge of personal finances, from basic savings tips to advanced money management strategies. Most workshops, seminars and activities should be free and open to the public. Private events will be included for appropriate audiences such as students, employees and professional groups, but in turn might not be publicized as part of the public event calendar.
A subcommittee is also working on publicity and developing media relationships, building on existing relationships, and producing promotional materials such as bookmarks, posters, and inserts. Logos are available for websites, print materials, and t-shirts. (Publicity materials will be distributed to member libraries shortly after DLS receives them.)
Denise Zielinski, representing DLS on the committee, is interested in obtaining information about programs DLS libraries of any type will be offering during MSW 2009. A Partner Kit with more details and information, including best practices, is available. Download Chicago Partner Kit 09
. If you'd like your library’s programs to be included in the print and website calendar, please send the details to Denise by January 26, 2009. If you are looking for program presenters, contact Denise for a list of programs available from the University of Illinois Extension Services.
In addition to the above, the Chicago Money Smart Kid Committee will be offering a scholarship contest to students across the state. Students will be required to write an essay in answer to a specific question as listed on the application. A PDF of the application should be available in January. Libraries are asked to make the application available. The DuPage committee is hoping to be able to offer a prize to a student from within the county. Details on that award will be forthcoming.
