Kids and teens can learn to become great money managers thanks to a new exhibit that debuts at Washington-Centerville Public Library on September 21st. Money $marts, an interactive, traveling exhibit designed and constructed with the help of Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, teaches kids and teens about earning, saving and spending money.
The exhibit, which remains on display at Centerville Library at 111 W. Spring Valley Road through October 31st, gives parents a great opportunity to talk to their children about being financially responsible. Four panels, addressing money concepts appropriate for children and teens ages 3-18, feature fun financial games and interactive elements to create a hands-on experience.
A series of programs and contests will reinforce the exhibit’s financial literacy concepts and serve as a springboard for parent-child conversations about financial responsibility. Programs include a game night where teens can play money-based board games to test their pricing knowledge in a “shopping spree” and a parent/child program featuring money-related activities and crafts. Money-themed kits of library materials are also available for checkout.
Oct 2nd 7-9pm After-Hours Teen Game Night
Join us for an after-hours night of games to see how money smart you are! Participate in a “shopping spree” to win prizes, play jeopardy, trivia, board games, and video games while you eat snacks and spend time with friends. Open to grades 6 – 12.
It’s never too early to start teaching children about money! Enjoy parent/child activities centered around counting, making, and saving money. For Preschool – Grade 5.
After its debut appearance at the Centerville Library, the exhibit will travel to the Springfield location of Boonshoft Museum of Discovery where it will be on display November 6 – January 3, 2016. After that time, schools and other libraries throughout the region may reserve the exhibit for display by contacting the Library at 433-8091. 
This exhibit and related programs are made possible by a grant from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation through Smart investing@your library®, a partnership with the American Library Association. Washington-Centerville Public Library was one of 21 recipients nationwide to be awarded a Smart investing@your library® grant by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation and the American Library Association (ALA). “The Library is honored to be part of such an elite group, and we’re excited to improve patrons’ access to and understanding of financial information,” said Shelly Peresie, Youth Services Team Leader and project principal for the grant.
For more information on the Money $marts exhibit or related programming, visit www.wclibrary.info or call the Centerville Library at 433-8091.
