Library Professionals
We welcome our colleagues working in libraries to our Library Professionals resources page.
To speak to a financial counsellor, call the National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 or use the chat function on ndh.org.au.
For information about our upcoming events for library professionals, please click here.
Training for library professionals to feel more comfortable and confident in financial conversations – including the necessary skills, resources and referral points
A menu of installation materials, associated activities and in-reach pathways enabling each library to select the elements that best fit with their own plans
Factsheets and supporting assets that can be used in multiple ways – by library staff in consultation with a community member or group, for display, or simply to hand to a community member in response to an inquiry
A recently published analysis of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics Australia (HILDA) longitudinal survey identified that 38% of Australian adults experienced financial hardship over the five years from 2014 to 2018. Many of these people are unaware of the supports available to them – including older people, unpaid carers, people experiencing mental wellbeing challenges and people from diverse communities.
Through our Libraries Outreach program we would like to ensure that community members know about, and can connect with the free, confidential and independent support provided by financial counsellors. More about the program…
For many people facing financial hardship this individual assistance is what they need to get back on track. However, Libraries Outreach can achieve much more by providing people with the information they need earlier when they have more options available and can take preventive action themselves.
Our approach seeks to build on and complement the infrastructure, skills, resources and activities that are so well-developed in libraries, their staff, communities and connected services. Accordingly, we have developed a varied offering.
The following short video provides a visual guide to the flexible programs and resources to share that are detailed on this webpage. This collection of resources and information was launched at FCVic’s Festival of Ideas: Priceless, the unpaid contribution on 21 June 2023 at the Treacy Centre, Melbourne.
We thank our colleagues at the Kathleen Syme library, City of Melbourne, for their invaluable guidance and suggestions as we have developed this approach.
Upcoming Events
FCVic will be hosting a Festival of Ideas, to be held on 21 June 2023 at the Treacy Conference Centre in Parkville. The Festival brings together the resources, partners and current and future collaborators engaged in a variety of special projects.
Financial Conversation Leader: Self-guided training
Diverse, and sometimes vulnerable, community members are often seeking information and support from their local library. For library professionals, these conversations that can be difficult to navigate. This is particularly true for conversations about money, or financial difficulty.
The Financial Conversation Leader session is designed to assist library professionals to feel confident in addressing concerns around money, to provide helpful resources, promote the work of financial counsellors in your local area, and provide links and ongoing connection to relevant local services. Below is a recorded session of two hours’ duration. It is presented by FCVic, the peak body and professional association for financial counsellors in the state.
On completion of this session participants will be able to –
- Understand the important skills for engaging in financial conversations with an individual or group
- Apply these skills to examples where someone is sharing their financial concerns
- Identify common issues regarding financial hardship and access useful information to share
A series of factsheets is provided to support your learning and for you to share directly, or tailor, to support community members.
For community use:
Financial Conversation Leader has been adapted from the five-session series Smart Women Smart Money which was co-designed and delivered to women leaders from diverse communities. Smart Women Smart Money was led by Australian Multicultural Community Services in partnership with Financial Counselling Victoria and funded by the Helen MacPherson Smith Trust.
Money Check Up for Library Users: Self-guided training for library professionals
A checklist and useful phrases to help identify whether your library users may be experiencing money problems
How to use web resources to make the best match between your library users and the available local financial counselling services
A simple flyer explaining financial counselling to library users, including space for you to enter contact details for their preferred local service
Free programs to help you learn more about managing the household finances – this guide helps you choose a program that best suits your needs and preferred learning style
Flexible Programs for Libraries
The programs and activities outlined here are entirely flexible. We anticipate library professionals will select and combine the options provided to suit the needs of library users and the local community, and to complement and integrate with other programs, current events or topics of interest.
Our content fits into two categories, Julie and the Debt Monster and Older and Wiser – Standing Strong.
Julie and the Debt Monster evolved from a collaboration with Little Dreamers, an organisation supporting young carers aged 4 to 25. The content has been designed to promote financial literacy and gently introduce concepts of debt and borrowing to audiences aged 14-25.
Older and Wiser – Standing Strong is a project arising from partnerships with Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre and Alfred Health Carer Services, and centres on elder abuse prevention. The content was created to empower and support older community members who may be looking for information and resources about specific money issues.
Both categories contain material that can be useful and beneficial for a wide range of audiences and purposes, beyond their original context. We recommend you select material that suits your patrons’ individual needs.
Please note – these information resources include links that may alter over time. If you notice any changes, please feel free to advise us of updates using the ‘contact us’ button below – we will be happy to update the resource available on this site for the benefit of all users.
To read more about the rationale for the Libraries Outreach program, click here.
Julie and the Debt Monster was originally developed as a series of seven blog posts, published fortnightly on Little Dreamers’ online Dreamers Hub, and funded by the Victorian Government through the Carers Statewide Partnerships Grants Round 1.
Written by FCVic, Julie and the Debt Monster centres on Julie, a young carer who is captain of the soccer team, resident DJ at her weekend waitressing job, and an aspiring filmmaker. She’s kicking goals all the way through Year 12… except for one tiny secret: she’s being followed by a debt monster. No matter what she does, Julie’s debt monster is always one step behind her and growing larger all the time…
This is a story about a girl learning to navigate the world of debt, make choices about her own finances, and wrestle a sinister debt monster under control. The material below brings this story to life in your library, while at the same time promoting positive financial habits for young people.
A series of seven instalments (over ten posters) that can be displayed in sequential order along a wall. Each poster has a QR code linking to an audio version of the full text.
Download the ZIP folder of PDFs, which can be printed and displayed at a range of sizes, from A3 to A1.
Julie and the Debt Monster print book
This booklet contains the seven blog instalments in an easy-to-read story format. It can be displayed in your library or catalogued for circulation.
Access the audio version of each chapter of the Julie and the Debt Monster book.
This interactive, web-based adventure invites users to explore the ‘Moneyverse’. The content is designed to teach young people about important money concepts in an explorative and fun way – as they journey through the cosmos, users will discover the secrets of money management, savings, budgeting, investing and more!
We suggest you display the website on a console in your library or help connect users to it by distributing these downloadable flyers: Click here to download the Money Explorer flyers
Listed below are some gentle ways for younger audiences to interact with Julie and the Debt Monster program.
Run a badge-making activity
These templates can be used when running a badge-making workshop.
Here is an instruction sheet you can distribute to participants to demonstrate how they can crochet a debt monster.
This pack of Julie and the Debt Monster colouring sheets can be printed for your library.
Reliable information produced by FCVic to pass on to young people in need of financial guidance.
Created by Little Dreamers, this resource helps young people understand what it means to be a young carer and connects them with available support.
Created by FCVic as part of Little Dreamers’ Job Readiness program. This resource is of use to any young person starting out in the workplace.
A webpage designed to help unpaid carers access and book financial counselling.
Instructions for community members about how to use online resources to identify suitable local financial counselling services.
FCVic has compiled information about useful programs and services, including one-on-one support, group learning and self-paced online learning.
For a complete list of resources that can be handed to library patrons, go to the Resources to Share section.
These organisations offer relevant resources and services to those working with younger library users. They may be available to present an information session in your library.
A service that helps Victorians access mental health and wellbeing support in their area.
Your local financial counselling agency may be able to visit your library and run an outreach session. This factsheet can help you to identify your local agency.
An organisation supporting young people aged 4 to 25 who provide care for a family member affected by disability, chronic or mental illness, addiction or frail age.
An organisation that creates programs and resources for children and young people where a parent has a mental illness or mental health challenge.
An information hub for young workers about their rights at work, in association with the Trade Hall Council.
Older and Wiser – Standing Strong is a project arising from partnerships with Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre and Alfred Health Carer Services, and centres on elder abuse prevention. The content was created to empower and support older community members who may be looking for information and resources about specific money issues.
The material below highlights ways to integrate these resources into your library.
To read more about this project, visit the Older and Wiser – Standing Strong webpage.
This poster can be printed and displayed when holding any Older and Wiser – Standing Strong session or activity in your library.
Download the ZIP folder of PDFs, which can be printed and displayed at a range of sizes, from A3 to A1.
Warm Safe Home Project: Craft session
The Warm Safe Home Project is a craft project originally developed by Dr Becky Nevin Berger and run by the South West Victoria Elder Abuse Prevention Network to raise awareness of elder abuse. Participants create “little houses” out of cardboard and decorate them with messages about what a warm, safe home means to them.
FCVic has compiled an information package that includes the Warm Safe Home Project details, instructions and a template, as well as resources that can be used to help connect the craft session with practical information about the Victorian Government’s Utility Relief Grant Scheme (URGS) and financial rights for older people.
Click here to download the FCVic Warm Safe Home Project information pack.
Click here to download the original Warm Safe Home Project booklet (instructions and template on page 22-28).
An initiative of Australian Multicultural Community Services (AMCS), funded by the Ecstra Foundation, these resources are designed for use in community-led discussions about money and wellbeing. The Money Talks for Better Ageing webpage includes videos and factsheets in 13 languages to help older community members think about what is ‘OK or not OK’ in relation to financial arrangements.
The Money Talks for Better Ageing resource kit for presenters contains the following documents to help you run a session:
- Introduction to the presentation pack from AMCS
- Money Talks workshop structure
- Notes for Money Talks slides (English)
- Money Talks powerpoint slides (with embedded videos) in English
- Factsheets
- Seniors Rights Victoria: ‘Concerned about an older person’ booklet
The Money Talks for Better Ageing resource kit is available from the link on the left.
Justice Connect: ‘Preparing for your future’ conversation guide
Justice Connect has created a conversation guide to aid with the first steps of planning for older age. The activity encourages participants to think and talk about what they want for older age, and record these reflections in the booklet. There are three parts to the guide: planning for everyday life in older age, planning how to manage your finances as your age, and planning for end of life healthcare. Each part takes at least 30 minutes and they can be done in any order.
While participants can complete these booklets independently, it is recommended that a facilitator run through the guide with a group or individual.
If a community group, social group, or seniors group would like Justice Connect to run a facilitated workshop for your members, please contact Anna Smith at [email protected]. For more information, visit the Justice Connect ‘Preparing for your future’ webpage.
Access the ‘Preparing for your future’ conversation guides here below:
A handy checklist to guide a group or individual through the basics of staying on track with their money, helping them to identify any questions they may have.
Guidance for organisations who would like to establish a financial counselling clinic within their setting.
Reliable information produced by FCVic to pass on to community members in need of financial guidance.
A webpage of resources that introduce financial counselling to community members.
Instructions for community members about how to use online resources to identify suitable local financial counselling services.
A simple overview of how financial counselling works. Includes a space to record the details of a patron’s local financial counselling service.
Information for unpaid carers, with details of available support.
Financial Conversation Leader factsheets
These factsheets provide useful information for community members about managing their money.
Click here to download the print-friendly versions
A collection of 10 factsheets, each of which provides a brief and practical overview of a financial service or support. Every factsheet is also accompanied by a short video, which has been translated into 10 languages.
Reading lists created by Emily Johns, Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre
These titles have been compiled by a librarian and can be added to a library collection:
For a complete list of resources that can be handed to library patrons, go to the Resources to Share section.
These organisations offer relevant resources and services to those working with younger library users. They may be available to present an information session in your library.
Your local financial counselling agency may be able to visit your library and run an outreach session. This factsheet can help you to identify your local agency.
Gamblers Help support people with gambling problems, including family and friends close to them. Gamblers Help offer free, professional and confidential support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1800 858 858.
Good Shepherd is able to run workshops on topics relating to financial capability in their catchment area of the Inner, West, Inner South and South East of Melbourne.
Justice Connect provides a range of legal support services for individuals and not-for-profit organisations. They have created a list of self-help resources regarding various legal topics and are able to run facilitated workshops in relation to the ‘Preparing for your future’ Conversation Guides in libraries.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Local is a new service that supports Victorian adults to get mental health and wellbeing treatment, care and support closer to home. Support is free of charge, and people do not need a referral from their doctor or health professional.
If a Mental Health and Wellbeing Local is not yet open in your area, call 1300 375 330 to talk to someone about accessing support in your area.
COTA Victoria, Seniors Rights Victoria, State Government of Victoria and Municipal Association of Victoria have partnered for a winter-long campaign called Older, Not Alone (starting June 2023). The website includes resources and information about topics that impact older Victorians, such as elder abuse, finance, independence, vaccinations and community groups.
Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) provides information and support for those concerned about elder abuse. They have a community legal service and helpful factsheets and community education sessions. Help is available to Victorians 60 and above, or any Indigenous Victorians 45 and above.
SSRV is a community legal centre that provides free legal services in relation to social security and Centrelink matters to people across Victoria. Their Worker Assistance webpage contains resources for professionals working with community members, including the Worker Helpline.
Assistance for carers
Carer Gateway is a free support program for unpaid carers. They are available to talk through what the carer needs and help them find local services.
Ph. 1800 422 737
The Victorian Support for Carers Program provides local, tailored, flexible support based on a carer’s individual needs and circumstances. To find out which organisations provide this program in your area: phone 1800 514 845 (free call) or look up the list provided on the website.
A local Support for Carers provider can be contacted directly. People do not have to go through other avenues such as the Commonwealth Carer Gateway assessment to receive assistance.
Family and Carer-led Centre
The government has set up eight Family and Carer-led Centres to provide better support to the families, carers and supporters of people experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges. The centres provide a warm and welcoming space that is easily accessible and freely available to families, carers and supporters of all ages, with no need for a referral. Led by people with lived experience of supporting someone with mental health challenges, they will provide information, networks, resources and access to hardship funds.
Family, carers and supporters who need support can contact Tandem 1800 314 325.
These resources are suitable for sharing with library users.
You may choose to use these resources in multiple ways – by library staff in consultation with a community member or group, for display, or simply to hand to a community member in response to an inquiry.
Please note – these resources include links that may alter over time. When providing a link for a library user to access, please check it to ensure it has not changed. If you notice any changes, please feel free to advise us of updates using the ‘contact us’ button below – we will be happy to update the resource available on this site for the benefit of all users.
Accessing financial counselling and related services
A webpage of resources that introduce financial counselling to community members.
A simple overview of how financial counselling works. Includes a space to record the details of a patron’s local financial counselling service.
Instructions for community members about accessing financial counselling in their local area.
A webpage to guide unpaid carers through the process of booking financial counselling.
FCVic has compiled information about useful programs and services to increase financial capability and independence, including one-on-one support, group learning and self-paced online learning.
Factsheets
A collection of 10 factsheets, each of which provides a brief and practical overview of a financial service or support. Every factsheet is also accompanied by a short video, which has been translated into 10 languages.
Financial Conversation Leader factsheets
These factsheets provide useful information for community members about managing their money.
Click here to download the print-friendly versions
Information for unpaid carers, with details of available support.
Created in collaboration with Little Dreamers, this resource helps young people understand what it means to be a young carer and what support is available.
Created by FCVic as part of Little Dreamers’ Job Readiness program. This resource is of use to any young person starting out in the workplace.
Reading lists
Reading lists
Thank you to Emily Johns from Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre for creating the following reading lists:
Webpages – FCVic
A menu of resources that introduce financial counselling to community members.
Financial support resources and information for small business owners (employing up to 20 FTE) and the services that support them.
A webpage designed to help unpaid carers access and book financial counselling.
Information for older Victorians, and those who work with them, about financial counselling services and educational resources.
Webpage with videos and factsheets in 13 languages to help older Victorians think about what is ‘OK or not OK’ in relation to financial arrangements.
Websites – Other organisations
A non-exhaustive list of some websites to share with community members:
If you have any questions about the program or the above resources, please feel free to contact us.
To stay informed of other initiatives, subscribe to our monthly email newsletter, Devil’s Advocate.
Financial counsellors are qualified professionals providing free, confidential and independent support and advocacy to individuals experiencing financial hardship. Their work is person-centred and strengths-based; they listen to your story and help with options that respond to your needs and preferences. By identifying options, the financial counsellor empowers you to make better choices and improve your situation.
Financial counsellors mostly operate from non-profit agencies and work under credit licence and financial services licence exemptions which permit them to access financial information and negotiate with creditors on your behalf (with your consent). Practical assistance of this kind is of great value in resolving confusion and relieving stress.
Financial Counselling Victoria (FCVic) is the peak body for all financial counsellors operating in Victoria.
FCVic acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.