Smart investing @ your library
In 2010, Iowa Library Services received a $98,251 grant to help rural Iowans strengthen their knowledge of and confidence in investing. In early 2012, an additional grant of $72,438 was awarded to continue the program. The grant will further build the capacity of selected libraries to provide effective, unbiased investor education for the public by hosting face-to-face and online education provided by Iowa State University Extension staff. Three different courses will be offered to Iowans: those who are first-time investors, those preparing for retirement, and retirees. Participating libraries will also receive $575 worth of library books and DVDs about investing, and additional support to offer finance-related programming. Ames Public Library, a previous grant recipient, will again partner with Iowa Library Services to select financial resources for the participating libraries and help train library staff. The grant will also cover the cost of publicity for the courses. The selected 18 Iowa public libraries must be located in rural communities of under 25,000 population and have available meeting space, public access computers, a Web site and a local partner.
Smart investing @ your library® is administered jointly by the American Library Association and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation (formerly known as the NASD Investor Education Foundation). The program supports public libraries in their efforts to meet investor education and protection needs at the community level. Participating libraries and their community partners are helping individuals access unbiased, quality resources and educational opportunities at library facilities, at home via the Web, at the workplace and at other locations throughout their communities. Reaching out across the community, these libraries ensure that their patrons can easily find the information they need to improve their financial decisions.
The FINRA Investor Education Foundation supports innovative research and educational projects that give underserved Americans the knowledge, skills and tools necessary for financial success throughout life. For details about grant programs and other FINRA Foundation initiatives, visit www.finrafoundation.org.
FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through effective and efficient regulation. FINRA registers and educates industry participants, examines securities firms; writes and enforces rules and federal securities laws, educates the investing public and provides trade reporting and other industry utilities. FINRA also administers the largest dispute resolution forum for investors and registered firms. For more information, please visit their Web site at www.finra.org.
