Personal Finance for Archivists

Are you an archivist (or other cultural heritage worker) who needs and wants to get their personal finances under control?

Even in the best of times, the GLAM-employed (people working in galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) deal with specific, if not unique, challenges when it comes to long-term financial stability. Increasingly, the archiving community faces layoffs, furloughs, and unstable funding, which makes financial literacy more important than ever. Job satisfaction is about more than money but, as archivists, our financial well-being and our own sustainability are essential. They allow us to effectively participate in change that will benefit our colleagues and professional fields, as well as the collections and heritage we strive to preserve. 

CAA member Kristin MacDonough will lead a two-part virtual workshop on financial literacy for archivists. In the workshop, participants will learn:

• Why personal financial literacy is necessary for cultural heritage workers
• How to understand their current relationship to money
• How to identify financial areas they want to spruce up and skills for doing so
• Strategies for overall improvement and how to build a long-term plan for their money

In addition to her role as the archive and collection manager at Video Data Bank, Kristin is the creator of GLAM Money, a personal finance resource for cultural heritage workers. A digital copy of the GLAM Money zine will be provided to each registrant. 

Please note:

• This is a two-part workshop with two weeks between the sessions. Session 1 will address the emotional and psychological factors behind our relationships with money. Session 2 will introduce actionable steps participants can take to improve their financial well-being. 
• There will be a homework assignment that requires gathering personal information before the second session. You are not obligated to share anything beyond what you are comfortable sharing. 
• Personal finance is personal. Financial stress can be isolating and can often lead to feelings of shame or guilt. Please only attend if you can commit to upholding a supportive and encouraging space.

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For more information, please contact kristin.macdonough@gmail.com. Can’t make it to this event? Don’t worry – there will be more events throughout the year at a variety of dates, times, and locations.

Have an idea for a CAA event? Contact info@chicagoarchivists.org!