UWG, West Georgia Regional Library System Receive FINRA Grant

Oct. 30, 2023
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The West Georgia Regional Library System (WGRLS), in partnership with the University of West Georgia’s Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy (UWG CEEFL), has received a $50,000 grant from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. Grant funds will be used to develop a program called FLOW: Financial Literacy on Wheels that will provide financial literacy training to underserved communities through the use of the library's existing bookmobile.

L to R: Duane Theobald, UWG Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy program manager; Kim Holder, UWG Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy director; Stephen Houser, WGRLS director; and Justin Nobles, WGRLS head of patron experience. Photo by Steven Broome.
L to R: Duane Theobald, UWG Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy program manager; Kim Holder, UWG Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy director; Stephen Houser, WGRLS director; and Justin Nobles, WGRLS head of patron experience. Photo by Steven Broome.

WGRLS is a 19-branch system serving Carroll, Douglas, Haralson, Heard and Paulding counties. UWG’s CEEFL helps teachers, students and the greater community master the economic way of thinking in order to provide opportunities for future growth, development and financial well-being.

Through the FINRA Foundation’s Library Grants Program, the UWG CEEFL and WGRLS staff will create and provide financial literacy programs in schools, daycare centers, senior centers and other community locations where WGRLS libraries can expand their reach. The programming will be fun and informative for families and individuals of all ages. Additionally, the grant will provide training to frontline library staff to provide workshops, financial literacy themed storytime programming and help with patron questions on financial topics.

FINRA – the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority – is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to investor protection and market integrity. It regulates brokerage firms doing business with the public in the United States. The FINRA Foundation supports innovative research and educational projects that give underserved Americans the knowledge, skills and tools to make sound financial decisions throughout life.

“WGRLS is thrilled to receive this grant to provide financial literacy services through our bookmobile,” said Stephen Houser, WGRLS director. “We love being able to provide impactful programs like this outside our library walls, especially to those patrons that can’t make it to our library branches.”

Kim Holder, UWG CEEFL director, agreed.

“The UWG CEEFL has a long-standing commitment to economic and financial education in our communities,” she added. “We look forward to this unique collaboration with WGRLS and building a strong financial foundation that is easily accessible to everyone.”

To keep up with grant-related activities and library events, follow the West Georgia Regional Library System on Facebook or visit the website at wgrls.org.