April is Financial Literacy Month, and the library is here to help you make the most of your money — now and throughout the year. From day-to-day budgeting to planning for major life purchases, the library offers a wide range of programs and resources to support your financial goals at every stage of life.
Financial Fitness 2026
Financial Fitness 2026 is a free financial literacy series presented by Business Interest Group (BIG), a group of business librarians in the Chicago suburbs. In support of the libraries’ mission of providing access to reliable information, these virtual programs offer practical tips and advice from experienced financial advisors.
Budgeting and Savings Basics
Certified Financial Planner and Professor of Finance at North Central College Ryan Decker will break down the basics of personal finance: budgeting and introductory saving and investment strategies. Learn which factors to consider for deciding when, where, and how to save, invest, or aggressively tackle debt. (V) (R)
Buying a Home: The Basics
Open Communities, a fair housing agency, will provide an overview of what it takes to purchase a home. Learn what lenders look for in a loan application, credit basics, down payments, and the key players in the homebuying process. (V) (R)
Retirement Reality With Jill Schlesinger
Discover what it really takes to build a secure retirement, with expert advice from CBS News Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger who will walk through the specific steps necessary to get you where you want to go, whether you are just starting off in your career or ready to wind down. (V) (R)
True Crime: Financial Fraud
Detective John Napoleon of the Mount Prospect Police Department will review real case examples of common financial scams, offer tips on how to keep your finances safe, and discuss what to do if you are the victim of a financial crime. (R)
Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning Basics
Attorney Jacob K. Ehrensaft will explain wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate, guardianship, and how to ensure your final wishes can be protected. (R)
Personal Financial Resources
Check out our wealth of online resources to help you manage your money and stay informed.
Available with your library card.
Barron’s (NEW): Comprehensive coverage of the financial world including in-depth analysis and commentary
Morningstar: Insights on stocks, mutual funds, and more
Value Line: Market updates and detailed reports on individual stocks and mutual funds
Wall Street Journal: Preeminent source for global business and financial news
Weiss Financial Ratings: Ratings for banks, credit unions, insurance companies, or even Medigap plans
Visit mppl.org/resources to access these and other valuable resources.
For a list of practical, informative titles on personal finance, visit mppl.org/personal finance.
