Library Champions for Financial Literacy

  • By Baltimore County Public Library

As a community connector, Baltimore County Public Library aims to meet our community’s needs and interests. For some, that’s enjoying the books, CDs or DVDs on the shelves, using our computers or relaxing in our spaces. But for others, the library helps them take control of their financial lives. Whether you're navigating student loans, building a budget, launching a business or planning for retirement, we provide free programs and resources to help you learn and grow. 

Start Planning 

One of May’s programs is Free Wills and Estate Planning Legal Clinic in partnership with Pro Bono Resource Center. We asked the volunteers for five things that you may not know about estate planning.  

  1. An estate plan usually consists of a Last Will and Testament, an Advance (Medical) Directive and a Financial Power of Attorney.
  2. Estate planning is not just for rich people. If you own any asset, such as a house, a car or a bank account, estate planning is important for you.
  3. A will enables you to leave your property to your loved ones, thus maintaining intergenerational wealth.
  4. If you die without a will, the state decides how to distribute your property, which may not be in line with your wishes.
  5. Estate planning ensures that a trusted loved one will take care of your health care and financial affairs if you lose the ability to make decisions about them. 

You can learn more about wills and estate planning during our May 8 program, available by appointment. 

Other Resources 

Other ways the library can help those interested in expanding their financial knowledge include: 

  • Browse financial books in our physical collection or take them with you on the go with our digital library.
  • Borrow a Chromebook or hotspot from our Library of Things.
  • Explore LinkedIn Learning to learn new skills or expand knowledge of your current talents. 
  • Sample legal forms, such as living wills, real estate contracts and bills of sale, specific to the state of Maryland in our Legal Forms Library. 
  • Tailored programming for entrepreneurs. 

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