Financial Counselling Victoria (FCVic) is the peak body and professional association for financial counsellors in Victoria. They offer a free, independent, confidential service that supports people experiencing financial hardship.

Recognising the role public libraries play in being an important refuge and source of information for people in the community, FCVic has developed a suite of resources for public library professionals so that they feel comfortable addressing enquiries relating to patrons experiencing financial difficulties.

From June, the resources will be available on the FCVic Library Professionals webpage for libraries to download and use. In the meanwhile, they have two upcoming professional development/training opportunities starting this month: the Financial Conversation Leader webinar and the Festival of Ideas: Priceless, the unpaid contribution. 

The Financial Conversation Leader webinar will be held five times throughout May and early June. This free, two-hour session provides library professionals with targeted and practical strategies to better engage with patrons expressing signs of financial hardship.

The Festival of Ideas will take place on 21 June at the Treacy Conference Centre in Parkville from 9.00am-3.30pm. The festival is a unique networking and sharing opportunity for professionals such as librarians, carer support professionals and mental health workers, all who work closely with community members. It will also be a chance for library professionals to access and learn about the resources that have been created in the Libraries Outreach program.

More information (downloadable PDF): FCVic_Libraries_Training opportunities for library professionals_A3

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