VACU helps Richmond Public Library with Kiosks of Children’s Books About Money

Virginia Credit Union will work with the Richmond Public Library to provide kiosks of more than 80 books for children on money.

The kiosks will be available at the Broad Rock and West End library branches beginning Aug. 1. Each contains a collection of approximately 80 titles about important financial concepts appropriate for children pre-K – 6^th grade.

Tori Filas, a senior financial success educator for VACU who specializes in education for children, recommended the selection of titles as she worked with Richmond Public Library Children’s Librarian Beth Morris and Susan Revere, Executive Director of the Richmond Public Library Foundation.

“Our hope is that these books help spark money conversations at home,” said Filas. “The kiosks will include relatable, multicultural titles that can encourage children to be comfortable talking about money, understand opportunity cost and learn to differentiate between wants and needs.”

Among the titles included are Bunny Money by Rosemary Wells (Penguin Random House); Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts (Candlewick Press) and One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference by Lynne Stover (Kids Can Press, Ltd.).

Filas will also be present at the library branches for storytime sessions using some of the selections beginning this Fall.

Virginia Credit Union, which has long provided financial education programs in partnership with libraries, schools, and community organizations, donated funds so that Richmond Public Library could acquire the titles and set up the kiosks.

The library program fits with Virginia Credit Union’s dedication to building financial confidence at every age by encouraging parents to read and talk about money with their children. Piloted at the Broad Rock and West End branches, the program may expand to additional library locations in the future.

Filas explained why a program for young children is so critical. “Studies have shown that many of children’s money habits are already in place by age 7, so we want to be sure children and families understand the importance of financial decision making and opportunity cost. We live in a world of unlimited goods, but we all have to make choices because we have a limited amount of money,” said Filas, a former third-grade teacher for Henrico County Schools.

A financial cooperative serving more than 320,000 members, Virginia Credit Union offers a variety of affordable banking services, loans, mortgages, and free financial education resources, with a focus on helping people be more confident with their finances. Virginia Credit Union is an equal housing opportunity lender and is federally insured by NCUA.