The statistics are sobering. According to PA Forward, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Library Association, 45% of American adults give themselves a grade of C, D or F on their personal finance knowledge. More than one in six students do not reach the baseline level of proficiency in financial literacy. One in four adults do not save any portion of their income for retirement.
Manheim Community Library is hoping to help. The library, located at 15 E. High St., offers a wide range of financial literacy resources, including programs on saving money, job search support and books for people of all ages.
"We want to help people build a strong financial future," said Andrea Black, library director. "Financial literacy is not something that people are typically taught in school, but it's very important."
As Black explained, "financial literacy" refers to the ability to make informed decisions in areas ranging from personal finance to business management, teaching spending and saving skills to children or helping elders with retirement or estate planning. As part of the PA Forward program, the library is focused on five literacies: basic literacy, information literacy, civic and social literacy, health literacy and financial literacy. Having achieved the program's goals in the first four areas, the library has been named a Silver Star Library by PA Forward. Strengthening its financial literacy focus will help the library achieve Gold Star status.
As one of its first financial resource programs, the library will host the Extreme Savings Coupon Club in the basement community room beginning on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. "People are encouraged to come and swap coupons and money-saving tips," Black explained. Children are welcome to stay and play during the meeting.
For job seekers, the library has added an Employment Resources page to its website, where patrons can use online resources such as PA CareerLink or Brainfuse JobNow. "Brainfuse is a great resource, because it connects people with career coaches for one-on-one advice in their job search," Black noted.
She has been working to update and expand printed resources for financial literacy as well, including purchasing new books on budgeting and how to start a business. On-site resources at the library include five public computers, Wi-Fi, print and copy services and access to newspapers for job listings. The library also participated in September's 1st Thursday event in Manheim, with a booth featuring job resources and lists of open positions at the library's major business sponsors.
The financial literacy programs are just another way the library serves its community, Black said. "Libraries are more than just books," she stated. "We are here to serve everyone's needs, no matter what that need is, from learning to read to taking care of your health to focusing on your finances. We are here to help."
For more information on the financial literacy resources at the library, visit https://manheimlibrary.org. Masks are required for all indoor programs.
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