BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY CELEBRATES MONEY SMART WEEK APRIL 23-30

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY CELEBRATES MONEY SMART WEEK APRIL 23-30

Free programs offered at Central Library in Copley Square, Codman Square Branch

BOSTON – April 21, 2016 – Boston Public Library celebrates Money Smart Week April 23-30, a national initiative designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. Adult programming at the Central Library in Copley Square is presented by the BPL’s Kirstein Business Library; please register for these by contacting 617.859.2142 or businessref@bpl.org.

“Basic financial literacy is an essential life skill that everyone needs, for everyday planning like managing your paycheck or a weekly budget, to decisions regarding buying a first home, starting a small business, or planning for retirement,” said David Leonard, Interim President of the Boston Public Library. “BPL is committed to providing resources that can make a difference in our users’ lives, helping everyone be prepared to take advantage of opportunities that come their way.”

Programs:

·         Tinker Tots: On Tuesday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. in the Children’s Library at the Central Library in Copley Square, children ages 3 to 5 will hear stories and sing songs about math and money. Following story time, children and caregivers will engage in stations that encourage them to explore concepts around money, math, and counting.

·         Investing Basics: On Tuesday, April 26, at 6 p.m. in the Commonwealth Salon at the Central Library in Copley Square, Sean Fullerton and Jerry Holly of the Boston Securities Analyst Society explain how to develop a comprehensive investment plan and construct a diversified portfolio. Concepts include detailed budgeting, identifying investment goals and objectives, basic types of investments (cash, bonds, equities) and the implementation of an investment plan. A question and answer session follows.

·         Home Buying: On Wednesday, April 27, at 2 p.m. in the Children’s Library at the Central Library in Copley Square, discover resources and useful websites to help you understand the home buying process.

·         Story and Craft: On Wednesday, April 27, at 3:30 p.m. in the Children’s Library at the Central Library in Copley Square, youth will listen to stories about counting and create a craft to help them save their own money.

·         Planning for Retirement: On Thursday, April 28, at 6 p.m. in the Commonwealth Salon at the Central Library in Copley Square, join Certified Financial Planner Jeanne Gibson Sullivan to learn about what you need to know to prepare for retirement. She will cover how much you need to have saved, where to put your savings/investments before retirement, which assets to tap first, when to take Social Security, and strategies for managing investments.

·         Financial Education Presentation: Get “money smart” on Thursday, April 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the Codman Square Branch at 690 Washington Street in Dorchester. The presentation features Century Bank's Saida Idouahmane, Branch Manager, and Fatima Goncalves, Assistant Branch Manager.

·         Grocery Stories: On Friday, April 29, at 3:30 p.m. in the Children’s Library at the Central Library in Copley Square, youth will listen to stories about buying groceries for the home and engage in a pretend shopping expedition.