Schaumburg library receives grant to support resources

A grant given to the Schaumburg Township District Library (STDL) will be used to support resources and programs for "It's Your Money: Get Smart" to reach community members who are facing financial hardship. The $87,000 grant was awarded by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation and the American Library Association (ALA).

The library, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates Charitable Foundation, Inc., will extend the resources developed in Phase I of "It's Your Money: Get Smart." This project will expand the library's collection of resources and reach out to the community in new ways.

"Many residents are facing problems due to the economic downturn and job loss," said STDL deputy director Rebecca Teasdale. "First, we will expand STDL's investing webpage by adding new content and an interactive Q-AND-A feature, transforming it into a virtual personal finance center. We will also create a physical personal finance center at the central library that will gather the library's resources together to help library users easily find and use our financial information."

Teasdale explained that the library will also partner with the Consumer and Family Educators at the University of Illinois Extension to help local employment counselors and social service providers share financial information and resources with their clients.

YouTube videos and other resources developed during the first phase of the project are available on the library's website. Go online to stdl.org, click on the Research button and then select "Investing and Personal Finance." New programs and materials connected with the "It's Your Money: Get Smart" grant will be announced in the fall of 2011 online and in STDL's News and Programs Guide, which is mailed to Schaumburg Township residents and available within the library. To find out more about this project, call Rebecca Teasdale at (847) 923-3326.