Round Lake Area Public Library

A brief summary of the events that took place at the August 12^th financial literacy seminar is listed below.  A detailed review can be found by clicking on our Detailed Summary of August 12, 2010 Financial Literacy Seminar.pdf.

The Round Lake Area Library would like to answer some recent questions regarding a financial literacy seminar held at the library the evening of Thursday, August 12th, 2010. 

The library provided meeting room space for both the Illinois Treasurer’s Office and United States Congresswoman Melissa Bean for the purpose of holding a financial literacy seminar that was focused on providing information to help residents manage credit card debt, read the fine print on credit card agreements, and discuss saving and credit rates and the affect these have on one’s personal budget and credit score. 

The library was approached by Congresswoman Bean’s office requesting use of the library’s meeting room for the sole purpose of providing space to the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office and U.S. Congresswoman Bean to teach a financial literacy seminar. This event was not designed to be or advertised as a “town hall” meeting. 

The library did not provide any advertisement for this event.  The library does not advertise outside events – groups and organizations that hold meetings at the library as opposed to library-sponsored meetings and programs.  No library funds were spent on or for this event.

The library does not endorse any political candidate, political party, group, or organization.  The literacy event held at the library was meant to provide educational assistance, not support for any political candidate.  The library treated this event like all other outside events held at this location.  The library consistently abides by the guidelines set forth in its meeting room policy, which can be found at http://www.rlapl.org/about/library-policies/meeting-room-policy/ . 

Library security staff present at this event were working as part of their normally scheduled shift and were not present at this event for the purpose of security for any one group or individual.  Because of a history of gang violence in the community, the library has employed security staff for years to promote patron safety.

The library asks that those interested in more details about this event contact either the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office or Congresswoman Bean’s office directly via the following contact: 

Melissa Bean:

Jonathan Lipman

Communications Director

Rep. Melissa Bean (D-IL-08)

(202) 225-3711

Jonathan.Lipman@mail.house.gov

http://bean.house.gov/

Illinois State Treasurer:

Scott Burnham, Communications Director

(312) 814-1700

The library would like to further state that the only advertisement it knows of this event clearly indicates this was to be a financial literacy seminar – an educational function – as indicated by the script of this automated call to Congresswoman Bean’s residents. 

Financial Literary Workshop

August XX, 2010

Hi, this is Melissa Bean, your representative in Congress, inviting you to attend my financial literacy forum on DAY, Aug. DATE at TIME p.m.

Please join me and presenters from the State Treasurer’s Office for tips on how to best manage credit card use, avoid common credit-card pitfalls.  You can also learn about the recently signed Wall Street Reform law to better protect your investments and our system from future financial crises and bailouts as well as the recently enacted Credit Card Bill of Rights.

Again, this is Congresswoman Melissa Bean, if you can, join me at LOCATION, ADDRESS, on August DATE at TIME p.m.  As always, it’s an honor to serve you. Thank you so much.