Abstract:
Management of personal finances requires information. Different kinds of information are needed to safely and successfully earn, borrow, save, invest, spend, and protect against risk. A multitude of sources provide financial information, and these sources can vary widely in their opinions, reliability and objectivity. Principles of information literacy should be integrated at each level of the financial literacy guidelines. As with other literacies, libraries are uniquely qualified to address this information need. Financial literacy programs and workshops should demonstrate how to:
a. Identify, access, and compare financial information from a variety of sources.
b. Critically evaluate the credibility, timeliness, and point of view or bias of financial information and its sources.
c. Apply financial information wisely and productively.
d. Use financial information ethically.
Each content area includes program outcomes that can be applied to a variety of programs, workshops and classes. Also included are suggested program topics. The
intent is for these guidelines to be dynamic documents, adaptable and flexible. These
recommendations are intended to grow and change through the implementation process.
