Library class helps children read a checkbook
Tiffany Harkleroad, youth services librarian at the Butler Area Public Library, hopes youngsters ignore the advice to “not take any wooden nickels.” She hopes to pass out a lot of wooden nickels to children in April and May.
The tokens are part of the library’s financial literacy class for children ranging in age from preschool through 17.
“It’s a long-term program that runs through the whole months of April and May,” Harkleroad said. “When they register, they get a packet, which contains a list of different classes they can complete (to earn) wooden nickel tokens.”
For example, reading a book on financial literacy earns them a token, completing an online course earns them a token.
Harkleroad said there will be two in-person programs at the library that will allow participates to score a wooden nickel.
She said for the younger children there will be a financial literacy story time at the library at 6 p.m. April 11. Beginning at 3 p.m. April 12, there will be financial literacy bingo for the older participants.
The wooden nickels can teach another financial lesson. Harkleroad said participants can spend the nickels in the library’s store on items, such as stickers or candy, or save them up to pay for bigger items, such as gift cards to local businesses.
“It’s a learning experience. For the younger children, we explain saving and spending but also introduce the concept of charitable giving,” she said. “For the older ones, they learn budgeting. We teach them how to fill out a tax form, how to write a check and how to balance their checkbook.”
Harkleroad said the financial literacy program was a joint effort between the library and Armco Credit Union.
“They approached us about partnering in this,” Harkleroad said. “Part of their mission is to help the community become informed about good financial practices, and that can start when people are children to be better prepared when they reach adulthood.”
The credit union supplied the workbooks, the online program and arranged for the prize donations from the local businesses.
Michele Jurysta, marketing manager for the credit union, said the credit union supplied the online course, and she lined up local businesses to supply gift cards for the library’s store.
“April is Financial Literacy Month,” Jurysta said. “There are initiatives to educate all ages in financial literacy. Good money management skills can be taught early in life.”
Jurysta said the online course is a fun game where players get to make life decisions, such as using your paycheck to throw a party or open a savings account.
“It’s the best way to reach kids,” Jurysta said. “It’s an online course, so they can go on their own time at their own pace.” Completing the course earns 10 wooden nickels.
Harkleroad said when children register at the library, they pick up a packet containing a task list, workbook and scavenger hunt list. The first 300 to register also will get a pencil bag that they can use to save their wooden nickels in.
Harkleroad said financial literacy may or may not be taught in schools.
“I think we are seeing a lot of real-world, practical applied knowledge is getting lost in the schools because they have so many educational standards that they have to meet. The consumer portion of math, balancing a checkbook, don’t get much attention,” Harkleroad said.
“A lot of it depends on what track their education takes when they get older. But even if they are learning it in school, this just reinforces it,” she said.
“I am hearing more and more teenagers want to get jobs,” she added. “This prepares them for the reality of what their first paycheck will look like and filing taxes if they make enough money.”
Harkleroad said they can register by contacting her, stopping by the library or emailing her at tharkleroad@bcfls.org.
“They can jump in anytime. Registration ends May 5, so they have plenty of time to register,” she said.
