Consumer Expert Jim Donovan Talks Money at Marple Library

Consumer expert and award-winning reporter Jim Donovan will be at on April 16 to help the Delaware County Library System (DCLS) kick off a two-year program to help residents by “MoneySmart.”

The innovative and educational library program is called MoneySmart@your library and the goal is to help residents better understand and plan their finances.

Delaware County residents are invited to meet Donovan and to hear about the MoneySmart programs that will be offered at the 26 DCLS member libraries.

Donovan is an 11-time Emmy Award-winning consumer reporter for CBS3 and is known for helping viewers with his “3-On Your Side” program.

He will speak at the April 16 kick-off event for MoneySmart@ your library, a series of programs to help consumers become better money managers, both for themselves and their children. He will be joined by Delaware County Councilman John McBlain, Council’s liaison to DCLS.

People are invited to attend the kick-off at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 16, at the Marple Public Library, 2599 Sproul Road, Broomall. Refreshments will be provided and door prizes will include copies of Quicken financial management software.

“The MoneySmart program will be a great resource for our residents, especially during tough economic times when people need to manage their money very carefully,” said County Councilman John McBlain, Council’s liaison to DCLS. “This is one more example of how important our libraries are to the community, as a place where people can easily access many resources, including computer access.” 

The MoneySmart project is presented in cooperation with the Library Foundation of Delaware County and the Delaware County Library System. The project is funded by a $97,470 grant from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation and the American Library Association as part of the nationwide Smart
investing@your library® Program. 

The Library Foundation of Delaware County is one of only 16 library programs in the nation to receive this prestigious grant.

Libraries are a great place to learn about finances. The programs are all non-commercial and presented by trained personnel.  The MoneySmart project will feature programs on many topics; including both one time and multi-session classes. 

Among the programs will be “Right on the Money (RoM): Talking Dollars & Sense to Parents & Children.” RoM is a four-week program that uses reading to introduce children ages 5 to 7 to earning, spending and saving money. The course provides parents with tools and information to both reinforce their own financial abilities and help them teach their children money management skills. Each family will receive a book each week and parents will receive materials and supplies to keep them organized.

Dinner will be served for evening classes.

Other classes will include: “FinanciallyHers,” a four-week program specifically for women; “Evaluating and/or Choosing a Broker;” and “Reverse Mortgages and Other Investment Opportunities.”

The programs will be presented by CLARIFI (formerly Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley) and the Pennsylvania Securities Commission. In addition, the grant will fund the purchase of books and eBooks to help county residents manage their money more effectively.

For details on these programs and others, visit the DCLS website at www.delcolibraries.org.