Growing Savers: Smart Money @ Richland Library focuses on educating children and families with a big emphasis on making finances fun. They even created a theme song with a local children’s indie-rock band called Lunch Money to create performances that show smart money choices in action.
“Shake My Piggy Bank,” the library’s new song about saving money, gets the toes tapping and the eyes twinkling. And it also makes an important point—the library is free, fun and a great place to learn about money.
Download an MP3 of Shake Your Piggy Bank!by Lunch Money.
Lunch Money is Molly Ledford (guitar, lead vocals), J.P. Stephens (bass, vocals) and Jay Barry (drums).
“We want to make it fun for kids,” says Heather McCue, children’s room librarian. “Not that saving isn’t hard, just like learning to read can be hard, but we want to make that fun, too!”
Instilling wise money habits in the young is the place to begin. “The research bears out starting with kids,” says McCue, who cites the rising cost of college and the lack of personal financial literacy in high school curriculum as examples of the need. “It’s much better to master smart saving and careful spending when you’re managing an allowance, rather than waiting until credit cards, college loans and even a mortgage are in the balance,” she added
Lessons Learned
• “We encouraged staff to weave financial lessons into ongoing library events for children and teens,” said McCue. “We also partnered with community organizations that reach children and families, including a multicultural theater group and Richland County First Steps program for at-risk parents.”
• Monthly “family learning nights” feature financial activities geared toward elementary school-aged children, as well as tips for parents about how to discuss money with their kids.
The Growing Savers project has reached more than 2,000 adults, children and teens with outreach, programming and group visits.
