Boston Public Library To Host Money Smart Week

Boston Public Library invites people of all ages to get “money smart” during the week of April 20-27, in conjunction with Money Smart Week, a national initiative to educate consumers on ways to manage their personal finances.

In honor of this special week, Boston Public Library will provide free financial literacy programming that includes workshops on managing student debt, planning a wedding, utilizing online financial planning resources, and protecting against identity theft.

All programs, classes, and workshops take place at the Central Library in Copley Square, located at 700 Boylston Street. 

Money Smart Week programming at the Boston Public Library includes:

• Online Financial Planning Resources. Planwise and Mint.com will be featured as two online planning resources on Saturday, April 20, at 11 a.m. in Rabb Lecture Hall and on Tuesday, April 23, at 4 p.m. in the Training Lab.

• Planning a Wedding on a Budget. An overview of every bride’s (virtual) best friend: theknot.com is offered Saturday, April 20, at 12:30 p.m.  in the Training Lab. Other free online resources to help plan a budget-friendly big day will be discussed.

• Couponing. Get educated on how to save money with online couponing for both online and in-store shopping on Saturday, April 20, at 2 p.m. in the Training Lab.

• Protecting Your Identity. Patricia Malone, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing, will give a presentation on protecting against identity theft and on debt collection practices on Monday, April 22, at 6 p.m. in Conference Room 06.

• Conducting Mutual Fund Research. Learn how to search for funds, conduct a screening, and download reports through Boston Public Library’s Morningstar Investment Research Center electronic resource on Tuesday, April 23, at 2:30 p.m. in the Training Lab. Basic mouse, keyboard, and Internet skills preferred.

• Author Bob Sullivan speaks about his book, "Gotcha Capitalism: How Hidden Fees Rip You Off Every Day and What You Can Do About It," detailing consumer fraud and technology crime on Tuesday, April 23, at 6 p.m. in the Commonwealth Salon.

• Selling Stuff Online. Online marketplaces eBay, Craigslist, and Etsy will be compared and contrasted to help individuals figure out which one is right for their business on Wednesday, April 24, at 4 p.m. in the Training Lab.

• Planning for Uncertain Times. Jeanne Gibson Sullivan of the Financial Planning Association will give a talk designed to help individuals work through how they might cope should their income drop due to a job loss or other financial crisis on Wednesday, April 24, at 6 p.m. in the Orientation Room.

• Managing Student Debt. An American Student Assistance College Planning Center staff member will present a talk regarding financial considerations needed for an education beyond high school on Thursday, April 25, at 6 p.m. in the Orientation Room.

• Money Matters for Teens. A representative from American Consumer Credit Counseling will lead aninteractive workshop on Friday, April 26, at 3 p.m. in the Teen Room that explores managing resources, “budget busters,” how to avoid overspending, and how to create a spending plan.

In addition to classes and workshops, Boston Public Library is offering a Money Smart film series on Monday nights in April at 6 p.m. in Rabb Lecture Hall. Screenings will include "Reversal of Fortune" on April 8, "It Could Happen to You" on April 22, and "Mad Money" on April 29.

The blog of BPL’s Kirstein Business Library, www.bpl.org/kbl/, includes the latest updates on programming and Money Smart Week resources. The complete schedule of upcoming events at Boston Public Library locations is available at www.bpl.org/calendar.