Definition-The possession of knowledge and understanding of financial matters

What does this actually mean?
-More simply- the knowledge to be able to make responsible decisions about personal finance
-what to buy, how to set up accounts, how to recognize scams, how to budget, applying for loans (school, mortgage, car, etc.)

The Rochester Public Library is made up of ten branches throughout the city, 4 of which will have members
-Arnett members, Lincoln members, Lyell members, Sully members
-Will mean working directly in those branches, with that staff, in those neighborhoods
-I based out of Central
-My role with the library-Community Services Librarian
-Special project based, going to be overseeing the Financial Literacy part
-Work in Branch Administration, work with all ten branches
-The library will have 12 members all together (3 for each branch) 1 financial literacy member at each branch
-Will be doing work out of branches, means that any programming, workshops, etc. done during branch hours
-Will have 'base' set up in the library right by me, same floor as Tonia, so that if you need to come in and do work before the branches open, or need more space, less noise, etc. will be available
-Because will be working so closely with the libraries, will be training you on basics as well-how to use the computer system, how the library is organized, access to resources there
-Will be producing at least one engagement activity per week (one program, speaker, workshop, etc.)

-Where do we learn this?
-From our environment, general lack of knowledge around financial literacy, don't talk about it, lack of awareness of resources
-What if from a completely different economic culture?
-New Americans-individuals who have moved to the United States from another country
-Lots of barriers in place that make it hard for people to be financially literate
-Includes language barriers, distrust of banks, lack of knowledge about banking, lack of documentation,
-This program working in the libraries to focus on addressing those barriers
- Will include leading workshops teaching people these concepts, where to find information on tax prep help, where to find information on financial aid for school, credit counseling, etc.
-NOT LIMITED TO ADULTS, in fact want to specifically focus on families, and youth as well
-Programs going over how to create a budget
-Outreach to community organizations, community events to let the community know that these services are available

-Main topics will be going over differences between wants and needs
-Want that new pair of shoes, need to pay rent
-Basic banking
-What different accounts are, what are the differences between them
-how to set up checking or savings accounts
-For New Americans-currency may be entirely different, going over the different values of coins, dollars, how banks work
-How to create a budget, how to plan ahead
-Not JUST for adults, want to be able to inform youth as well
-Never too late to get everything back in order, but would be better to have that knowledge to begin with
-How to establish good credit-again, what defines good credit in the first place
-How having bad credit can effect you
-How to get out of debt, how to detect scams

-This is going to mean working with your library and staff there to plan out these workshops, contacting other area organizations to see how they can work with us to help provide this information (invite bank to come for two hours and sign people up for accounts)
-What other ideas you may have, part of the program is what you will make it
-Again one activity per week-one week may hold Banking 101, may do outreach at a community event, go to public market, lead a craft program on creating 'save, spend, giveaway' jars

-Will not be throwing you to the wolves
-Working with area organizations who specialize in providing financial literacy training to give you that training as well
-Train the trainer
-Working one-on-one with you to teach you the basics of financial literacy, and then teach you how to teach this, and pass on to others
-Will have resource book with handouts, websites, FINRA kits, 'play' money