Library to Host Traveling Exhibit on Financial Literacy for Teens

Tompkins County Public Library, in partnership with the American Library Association and FINRA Investor Education Foundation, will host Thinking Money, an exhibit designed to improve financial literacy among tweens, teens and their caregivers, April 3 through April 30 in the Library’s Avenue of the Friends.

Through an adventure-themed storyline, interactive iPad content and other fun activities, 

Thinking Money encourages viewers to explore themes like wants vs. needs, preparing for a rainy/sunny day, imagining your future self and avoiding financial fraud.

A wide-range of corresponding programs are being planned, including:

·         Cutting Your College Costs—On Monday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room, families will learn about the factors that influence higher education costs. Parents and students will develop tools for identifying colleges that make academic, social and financial sense based on their own individual needs and explore the total investment they will be making.

·         Thinking Money Exhibit Kick-Off—On Friday, April 7 from 5 to 7 p.m., families will have a special, after-hours opportunity to explore Thinking Money and to hear from participating members of Bitty Box, a local screen-printing business run by teens through the Greater Ithaca Activities Center. Attendees will create their own duct tape wallets and participate in games for a chance to win an assortment of prizes.

·         Get a Job!—Students are encouraged to get a jump on summer employment by attending this free hour-long workshop on Monday, April 10 at 4:30 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room. Participants will learn about the Youth Employment Services programs offered by Workforce New York and Challenge Industries and develop skills for marketing themselves for babysitting and odd jobs and tips on applying to camp and seasonal jobs. Registration is appreciated but not required. To register, contact Regina DeMauro at rdemauro@tcpl.org.

·         ESL Snack and Chat—Participants of all ages are invited to practice their English language skills, during this free weekly meeting of ESL Snack and Chat, Wednesday, April 12 from 3:45 to 5 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room. In conjunction with Thinking Money, this week’s program will focus on financial terms.

·         Mad City Money—On Thursday, April 27 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., TCPL will partner with Alternatives Federal Credit Union for Mad City Money, a simulation designed to help participants build financial literacy and awareness through hands-on fun. Participants will receive a mock salary, occupation and family and then visit several life stations, where they must purchase items like housing, transportation, insurance and more within their available means. Participants who completed all stations will be entered into a gift card drawing.

All programs being held in conjunction with Thinking Money are free and open to tweens, teens and their caregivers. For more information, contact DeMauro at rdemauro@tcpl.org or (607) 275-4557 extension 274.

Thinking Money was developed by the American Library Association Public Programs Office in collaboration with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, whose support made this exhibition possible.