Press Release

For Immediate Release
Maggie Killackey Jurgensen
Chicago Public Library
(312) 747-4051

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY INCREASES TEENS FINANCIAL LITERACY WITH TEEN MONEY SMART PROGRAM
April 13, 2007

The Chicago Public Library is excited to partner with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the 2007 Money Smart partners in presenting the 2007 spring Teen Money Smart programs. As part of the Teen Volume program, Teen Money Smart is a series of informative and interactive programs pertaining to topics ranging from everyday personal finances and money management to specific subjects like job and college decisions for young adults ages 13 and up.

Teen Money Smart is a series of dynamic and engaging financial literacy workshops offered to help Chicago-area teens understand the importance of setting financial goals, budgeting, saving and credit. According to a recent national survey released by Jump$tart, a consortium that facilitates financial education, teenagers know less about money than they did five years ago. Through the Teen Money Smart workshops the Chicago Public Library seeks to help Chicago area teens make informed financial decisions as they transition into adulthood.

Additionally, all 79 Chicago Public Libraries offer books and databases that allow Chicago-area teens to learn more about financial planning, college selection, personal health and fitness and credit. Teen Money Smart programs will be offered at library locations throughout the city. For a complete listing of Teen Money Smart programs, please visit the Chicago Public Library’s website at chicagopubliclibrary.org.

The Chicago Public Library is comprised of the Harold Washington Library Center, two regional libraries and 76 neighborhood branches. The Chicago Public Library offers a rich resource of books, DVDs, audio books and more, provides free access to the Internet and WiFi in all of its locations, as well as free public programs for children, teens and adults.

The Harold Washington Library Center, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library and Conrad Sulzer Regional Library are all open 7 days a week, the remaining 76 branch libraries are open 6 days a week and patrons can access all of the libraries’ collections online 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit the website or call the Chicago Public Library Press Office at (312) 747-4050.