Fond du Lac Public Library Presents Morningstar Investment Research Center for “Money Smart U” Program
Thanks to a grant provided by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and American Library Association (ALA), the Fond du Lac Library has been able to launch a variety of investment-related programs and maintain a website, “Money Smart Neighborhood,” completely dedicated to investing and financial resources. Each week the library holds a program focused on a particular aspect of finance or investing. One such program, “Financial Resources at the Fond du Lac Public Library,” featured the various online resources accessible to patrons, including Morningstar Investment Research Center.
During the session, library members focused on teaching their patrons about how to track stocks and improve their portfolios through Internet-based databases. As Reference Librarian Lori Burgess states, “This 90-minute presentation highlights our subscription databases that are free to our patrons who have a valid library card. This is a hands-on class where participants are able to access each database while the instructor is talking.” For example, Burgess taught the patrons how to do a stock screener and then allowed them to try one on their own. If anyone had any questions or problems, they were free to ask for help from the instructors.
When asked about the feedback for the Morningstar Investment Research Center database, Burgess states, “As one of the instructors of the investing presentation, Morningstar seems to be the most user-friendly. The two-minute tutorials are great!” With the two-minute tutorials on the stock screener, fund screener, and portfolio x-ray tool, patrons learn the features available through each of these easy to follow instructions. Patrons can gain access to these tutorials anytime, rather in the library or in their own home.
“We had 20 participants for our January class, and we only have 12 computers in our lab! Several students had to double up on computers.” With a successful turnout for this session, the Fond du Lac Public Library hopes to have even more patrons on hand when they hold their next session in February.
If you would like further marketing ideas or material to help promote Morningstar Investment Research Center at your library–or for materials you can use on your own staff training site–contact us at libraryservices@morningstar.com.
