TEACHING KIDS THREE S'S INPORTANT
Delaware State News
By Jack Markell
November 23, 2001
A few Saturdays ago, I hosted a free money conference for kids and their parents at the University of Delaware's Clayton Hall. Approximately 500 people, including kids in grades four through seven and their parents, attended the conference. Highlights of the day included keynote speaker Janet Bodnar, author of "Dollars & Sense for Kids," a magician with some exciting tricks about money, and hands-on break-out sessions for adults and kids.
To continue the learning spirit of the conference, we wanted to provide resources for becoming money smart. When the people in Delaware's Division of Libraries learned about our event, they volunteered their services. They understood the importance of demonstrating to children and parents alike that, particularly at a conference aimed at financial education, we all should take advantage of the free resources the libraries have to offer.
The librarians who attended the conference made a major contribution to the learning that took place. Volunteers from the Newark Library as well as the state system did something that demonstrated true innovation and out of the box thinking: they set up a mini-library, complete with the capability for children to obtain library cards and check out books on the spot. Dozens of people either checked out books, got library cards or learned more about the capabilities of Delaware's library system.
For example, conference attendees learned that Delaware has a digital library. If your local library doesn't have the book you are looking for, you can borrow it from another library and pick it up and return it to your library.
DelAWARE: the digital library of the first state is a statewide online service that provides full text magazines and journals, full text newspapers, as well as a user friendly guide to Internet resources and links to Delaware libraries.
Leaders associated with the Newark Library are demonstrating their commitment to community service: when their library must close briefly for enhancements they will still be serving the community. Their innovative use of technology will allow them to set up their services remotely so that members of the community will still be able to access the resources provided by libraries.
Teaching your kids the three S's (saving, spending and sharing or giving to charity) is just as important as the three R's. During difficult financial times like these, we can still meet the wants of our children and ourselves by taking advantage of resources like the library. And Delaware's service-oriented librarians are making it easier than ever.
