Thinking Money for Kids

Thinking Money for Kids coming to Cottage Grove Library April 1, - May 6, 2022

Thinking Money for Kids exhibition coming to Cottage Grove Public Library, thanks to national grant.
April 1, 2022 to May 6, 2022

Cottage Grove Public Library will host a traveling exhibition designed to teach kids and their families about money, thanks to a competitive national grant from the American Library Association (ALA) and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.

Thinking Money for Kids is a new multimedia experience for children ages 7 to 11, as well as their parents, caregivers and educators. The interactive exhibit uses games, activities and a fun storyline to help children understand what money is, its function in society, money choices, and money values, such as fairness, responsibility and charitableness.

The exhibit will be on display at Cottage Grove Public Library, along with a series of related special events, from April 1st to May 6th, 2022.

“Money is such an important topic, and it’s one that kids don’t get much exposure to from family and school,” said Head Librarian Natasha Chitow. “I strongly believe that a better understanding of personal finance will help our local youth make choices that help them succeed in their adult lives. Being able to connect education and job training to long term financial stability benefits not only the individual but the community in which they live. We encourage people of all ages to explore Thinking Money for Kids, and we’re excited to put on programs that empower people to think about personal finance.”

Cottage Grove is one of 50 sites selected to host Thinking Money for Kids on its two-year tour of the United States. Nearly 130 public libraries across the country applied for the opportunity, according to ALA.

In addition to the traveling exhibition on loan, Cottage Grove Public Library will also receive $1,000 to hold public events related to the exhibit. The library will also receive funding to send a staff member to a Thinking Money for Kids workshop held during the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., where they will learn about the exhibit and financial literacy topics.

For more information about Thinking Money for Kids, visit www.cottagegroveor.gov/library.