HSPLS Receives $100,000 Grant for Finance Programs

A $100,000 grant has been received by the Hawai’i State Public Library System as part of a $1.8 million grant program shared by 21 recipients through the “Smart investing@your library” initiative. HSPLS received the grant from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Investor Education Foundation and the American Library Association, who administers the initiative.

Funds from the grant will go to Hawai’i libraries with the purpose of giving patrons effective, unbiased educational resources about personal finance and investing. A total of $10 million has been awarded to public libraries, community college libraries, and library networks throughout the nation since the beginning of the program in 2007.

Free multi-generational financial literacy programs that use performance, competitions, online engagement. and workshops to improve patrons’ financial skills will be presented during the 18-month grant period. The programs will be administered through the Friends of the Library Hawai’i.

Younger students, those in kindergarten through sixth grade, will benefit from HSPLS’ partnership with the National Theatre for Children as they present dramatic performances of “Showdown at Cash Canyon.” Students will learn how important it is to save money and gain skills needed to achieve long-term savings. In addition to the performances, student will be able to access the theatre’s online learning platform, where they can find interactive exercises that have been designed to reinforce concepts that were initially introduced during the performance.

Students between sixth and twelfth-grade will be given the opportunity to take part in the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of the Securities Commissioner’s Investor Education Program “LifeSmarts” competition. The consumer education competition is an opportunity for students to test their life skills.

Presentations on safeguarding investments, understanding predatory leading, and avoidance of fraud are all topics that will be covered in presentations for adults and seniors. These programs will be co-hosted by HSPLS and the DCCA Office of the Securities Commissioner’s Investor Education Program at select libraries throughout the state.

To learn more, visit the HSPLS website.