Relevance 

Finding novel ways to engage clients can be challenging. Book clubs have been used as learning tools in a variety of fields as a way to improve critical thinking, reasoning skills, empathy, and practical application of knowledge. The Big Blue Book Club began as a statewide Extension programming effort during the COVID-19 pandemic. It offered engaging, educational programming despite barriers to traditional face-to-face instruction methods. The modality was effective, and therefore, Kentucky FCS Extension continued utilizing this highly successful programming well beyond the pandemic to continue to address new topics with research-based Family and Consumer Sciences content that was responsive to community needs. The delivery method and topics have resonated with clientele and provided a new modality for sharing information. 

Response 

The most recent installment of Big Blue Book Club was the 10^th session offered. It took readers on a literal and virtual journey through Kentucky via the book My Old Kentucky Road Trip: Historic Destinations and Natural Wonders by Cameron Ludwick and Blair Thomas Hess. Session two of the book club focused on Traveling on a Budget as we journeyed to Fulton, KY. Other topics included traveling with children; eating locally and safely while traveling; traveling for mental health and social connections; traveling safely; and a “meet the authors” session.

Prior to this installment, three separate virtual book clubs were held on personal finance topics including retirement planning; identity theft and consumer protection; and the systemic impacts of poverty. Those books were: Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest County on Earth by Sarah Smarsh; The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets and Stolen Identity by Axton Betz-Hamilton; and Flipping a Switch: 35 Action Steps for Happiness and Financial Security in Later Life by Dr. Barbara O’Neill.

The My Old Kentucky Road Trip installment was led by Dr. Amy Kostelic, Extension Specialist for Adult Development and Aging, and Mindy McCulley, Extension Specialist for Instructional Support. The finance content for session two was provided by Kelly May, Senior Extension Associate, and Dr. Nichole Huff, Assistant Extension Professor, both specializing in Family Finance and Resource Management. The prior book club installments that featured personal finance topics were led by Dr. Nichole Huff, Assistant Extension Professor, with support from Mindy McCulley and Kelly May.

Results 

A total of 306 (or more) people were reached with each installment of the My Old Kentucky Road Trip book club. Participants received a travel planner and budget worksheet, along with useful money-saving tips. Additionally, a total of 1,788 people viewed the Fulton session on YouTube. A post-program evaluation of the Big Blue Book Club in its entirety is in progress currently.

Two of the previous financial book club selections – Heartland and The Less People Know About Us – continue to remain popular, garnering an average of 197 views per month on YouTube between the two books. The total views for this fiscal year for both books are 2,375. Original post-program evaluation results from all three books were positive. The first and second books found that greater than 95% of evaluators gained knowledge/skills about the topics presented and are likely to apply what they learned. Post-program evaluation of Heartland found that 91% of participants better understand that money is only one source of capital that contributes to overall financial well-being.

Public Value Statement

The pandemic, inflationary times, and general day-to-day complexity in financial needs has magnified the importance of financial literacy and book clubs are an engaging and effective tool to promote financial literacy.