The American Library Association (ALA) is committed to advancing the professional development of librarians and supporting the inclusion and diversity within the profession. Although specific mission details are not provided, their actions, such as awarding the Spectrum Scholarship, indicate a commitment to these principles.
The Thinking Money for Kids Program is a grant initiative designed to support public libraries in hosting financial education programs for children ages 3 to 12. About 200 public libraries will be selected to receive the Thinking Money for Kids Program Kit, which includes all necessary resources to conduct five different in-person financial education programs. These programs, developed by educational media specialists and vetted by financial literacy experts, are intended to engage children through play in learning about financial concepts such as saving, spending, sharing, and budgeting. The kit also comes with Playaway Launchpad tablets pre-loaded with digital content to support the in-person programs, enriching the learning experience both in the library and at home. Additionally, the grant provides libraries with program instructions, promotional materials, and access to virtual training to effectively implement and market the programs. The contents of each kit aim to make libraries equipped and self-sufficient in providing ongoing financial literacy education, with an estimated value of $2,000 per kit.