Know your investment

Library resources

We believe that the best investor is a well-informed one. Whether you undertake your own investing or work with a financial adviser, the person most interested in your investments is you. One of the best places to get impartial and accurate information on investing is your local public library.

The BC Securities Commission donated books about investing to over 250 libraries in British Columbia. Librarians at your library can help you identify these and other high-quality books that explain the investment process and various types of investments and their risks. They can help you to research companies you may want to invest in and gather background information on the people behind a particular investment.

In most libraries, you’ll find the help you need at the reference or information desk. In larger libraries, you should ask at the business department. Every library collection is different, but in general the following sources are useful:

Specialized dictionaries and handbooks explain the terms you will hear from a financial advisor and in the news

General investment books explain the investment process. Look for recent titles published in Canada to ensure that the information is current and relevant.

Company information databases contain information about public and private companies, their business practices, individuals on the board, financial information, and so on. Reports on publicly traded companies will have stock price information, news releases, company filings and sometimes analyst ratings.

News databases are a great place to look for background information on individuals and companies

Investment strategy books provide how-to guidance. Be aware that there are many different strategies out there and not all will suit your investment needs. Compare strategies from several sources and consider talking to a registered investment advisor.

Each year, the commission investigates scams and dubious schemes in which investors lose millions of dollars.The best way for you to avoid becoming a victim of such frauds is to keep informed and investigate before you invest.

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