Schaumburg Twp. full of financial help

"Someday I want to be rich," says comedian Rita Rudner. "Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be."

These days, getting "rich," isn't even the primary goal. Most people are simply trying to make ends meet, hold onto the house and dig out of that credit card debt. And with so many businesses closing or downsizing, jobs are a rare and precious commodity. From teenagers to senior citizens, money is a tough issue. So where do you turn for help?

The Schaumburg Township District Library (STDL) is ready to provide helpful financial information and resources. For more than 45 years, STDL has strived to meet the needs of a diverse community and is jumping into financial issues with both feet. (Well-it would if libraries had feet.) New programs, services and resources to help people learn about saving, investing and job-hunting are at your fingertips inside the library or from your own computer. Books, videos, speakers and more are included in the library's new emphasis on the topics of money and job-hunting.

Check out the new section of the library Web site about money management and investing at www.stdl.org/investing. You can watch former library director Mike Madden and reference librarian Kris Kenney interview local financial professionals and find information about budgeting, investing, debt management and more. And when visiting the library, be sure to visit our new walk-through exhibit near the Reference Desk, which features information on investing for retirement and ways in which the library can help.

The new resources and exhibit are funded through a grant received from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation through Smart Investing @ Your Library®, a partnership with the American Library Association. Using the grant money, the library created a series of online videos featuring local financial experts discussing retirement planning, asset allocation, managing debt and other investment topics for Baby Boomers and Generation X. Another series of videos is targeted toward teens. It teaches them how to spend wisely and use credit cards responsibly, as well as save for college and other financial subjects. These videos are available on a new section of our Web site, www.stdl.org/investing, which offers a variety of resources to help people make educated decisions about investing.

Benjamin Franklin once gave us this simple but wise advice, "If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting."

While many of us are more than willing to "think of saving," the reality is far more challenging than the thought. But again, you are not in this alone. The library's resources and services can provide valuable information on saving for retirement, saving for college, even saving for a trip, home improvement or just to have a pad for emergencies. For some of you, the real trial may be keeping up with current payments. We can help there too.

"In the current economic climate, it is more important than ever for our community to have access to unbiased, trustworthy financial information," said Rebecca Teasedale, director of the library's Reference Services. "The library is an excellent source for this and we are excited to show community members how we can help. Families can use the new investor and money management section of our Web site to watch videos on retirement savings and investing basics, or to learn more about budgeting and managing their debt. Our librarians can also help individuals answer their financial questions with books, newsletters, and our large array of research resources.

Additional information is available at the Adult Reference Desk, (847) 923-3322 or refdesk@stdl.org or by contacting Rebecca Teasdale, (847) 923-3326 or rteasdale@stdl.org.

Job hunters, we've got you covered as well! Nearly every month the library hosts job-seeker seminars or job fairs. Our next seminar, led by Human Resource Professional Bob Podgorski, will be held from 7-8:30 p.m., Monday, March 16, in the Rasmussen Room. It will cover career success factors, resumes and more. Seminars are also scheduled for April 20 and May 18. And don't miss the "Job Information" brochure located at the Reference Desk on the library's second floor. It is chock full of Web sites and book titles designed to help job-seekers.

Poet E.E. Cummings once said, "I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart." If that sounds like you, consider a visit to the library and see if we can help get you and your money back together again.