Money Smart for Life 2026 Award Recipients

Published June 24th, 2026

The New Jersey State Library is proud to announce the 10 recipients of the 2026 Money Smart for Life Award. The Money Smart for Life initiative was designed to educate communities on the skills they need for financial well-being through libraries. The Money Smart for Life Award recognizes libraries coordinating programs that support financial literacy education to community members of any age. It is intended to highlight innovative and impactful financial literacy programs that could serve as models for other libraries.

The State Library has funded 10 awards at $1,000 each. Award funds may be used at the discretion of the recipient library to further their financial literacy programming. We are excited to announce the winners of the Money Smart for Life Award and share their financial literacy programming.

Money Smart for Life 2026 Award Winners

Berkeley Heights Public Library

Berkeley Heights Public Library partnered with Penny Power Project, a local student-led organization, to offer a three-session program called the “Youth Financial Literacy Course.” Attendees in grades 3 through 5 learned from teenage presenters who used humor and relatable examples to discuss serious topics in an approachable way.

Cherry Hill Public Library

Cherry Hill Public Library offered three financial literacy programs taught by a local bank branch manager for youth community members. “Kids Money-Savvy Workshop and Craft” covered topics including money basics, needs vs. wants, and saving money. “Teen Financial Readiness Workshop” offered information on staying safe while using peer-to-peer payments, loans, credit, and other topics.

Edison Public Library – Clara Barton Branch

Edison Public Library provided learning opportunities for kids and adults with their financial literacy programs. Through two workshops with speakers from the New Jersey Bureau of Securities, attendees explored the basics of crypto currency and how to avoid investment fraud. “Kids Get Money Smart” encouraged children to learn through play, and the CB Store provided a hands-on opportunity to manage a budget with their CB bucks.

Fanwood Memorial Library

Fanwood Memorial Library’s “Financial Literacy Workshops” began because a teen volunteer wanted to share her passion for finance with younger students. This series for students in grades 4 to 6 covered the value of money and investing basics through interactive lessons, discussions, and real-world examples. Learning from a teen rather than an adult allowed the attendees to connect with the topic at a different level.

Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights

The Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights offered two panels, “Downsizing by Design: Informational Selling Seminar for Seniors,” featuring representatives from a local real estate business. Attendees learned important information to help them make decisions about their living situations. The library cultivated a comfortable and trustworthy environment to encourage discussion and active engagement with this difficult topic and has received requests to offer the program in the future.

Gloucester County Library System – Swedesboro Branch

The Margaret Dombrosky Swedesboro Public Library of the Gloucester County Library System offered a “Thinking Money for Kids” program series using a kit provided by the American Library Association and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Investor Education Foundation. The series of monthly sessions for children aged 6 to 12 covered financial topics in age-appropriate and fun ways. For example, the “Penny Pincher’s Party” allowed kids to plan an event within a budget.

Hoboken Public Library

Hoboken Public Library partnered with Project Coin, a teen-led organization, to provide financial education for students aged 7 to 12. Through interactive presentations and activities, including a Monopoly-inspired budgeting game, ethical product design competition and a business pitch competition, the teen instructors provided a positive atmosphere for discussion and collaboration.

Leonia Public Library

Leonia Public Library’s range of financial literacy programs are designed to reach learners of all ages. Workshops series for teens and families explore important topics such as budgeting, loans, managing money, and investing. The “Community Financial Literacy” program included informational sessions and presentations from guest speakers. Among the events was author Prakasha Joshi to talk about his book, Handy Guide to Financial Literacy and Freedom.

Ocean County Library – Manchester Branch

The Manchester Branch of Ocean County Library offers monthly children’s programs focused on two age groups. “Money Munchkins” allows children ages 2 to 5 and their parents to visit an open-play farmer’s market with their Spark Bucks, a shopping list, and a shopping bag. During “Mini Moguls” attendees ages 6 to 12 operate two competing businesses and work through different stages of opening, creating their products, and attracting customers. Attendees and their parents return month to month and share how the activities build confidence and understanding of money skills.

Springfield Public Library

Springfield Public Library hosted a story time and crafts program for attendees ages 3 and older while also putting books about money front and center in the children’s room. The fiction and nonfiction books added to the collection have been extremely popular. In conjunction with the story time, the library has sparked conversation around money concepts.