About Us
Welcome to the Howland Public Library. We are here to serve the Beacon School District and the community in Beacon, NY. Our library, located on Main Street in the heart of the City of Beacon, offers a wide range of resources, collections, and services that aim to improve the lives of our patrons.
Whether you're looking for books, educational materials, or access to digital resources, we've got you covered. Our dedicated team is always ready to assist you in finding the information you need. We take pride in being a hub of knowledge and a center for learning in the area.
Visit us at the Howland Public Library and embark on a journey of discovery. Explore our collections, attend our events, or simply find a quiet corner to dive into a great book. We believe that knowledge has the power to transform lives, and we are committed to providing a welcoming space for everyone to explore, learn, and grow.
Board of Trustees Calendar
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Emily Pullen, President
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Kathy Furfey, SecretaryRuth Danon, Trustee
Sarah From, Trustee
David Lemon, Trustee
Helen Lowery, Trustee
Emily Murnane, Trustee
Joe Vergolina, Trustee
Trustees Elect:
Antonia (Toni) Maeck
Pia Ruisi-Besares
Re-Elected:
Kathy FurfeyIf you are interested in becoming a trustee contact Gillian Robertson Murphy, Library Director for more information.
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We strive to be a library that is integral to the lives of all residents and is responsive to our community’s changing needs.
The Howland Public Library provides free and equal access to information, education, enrichment, and personal growth experiences.
Our goal is to enrich our community by facilitating life-long learning and to promote social responsibility through collaborations which encourage innovative solutions to personal, community, and social issues.—Adopted by the Board of Trustees December 10, 2019
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Howland Public Library Board of Trustees Equity, Diversity, Accessibility, and Inclusivity Statement
As members of the Howland Library Board of Trustees, we not only want to understand the terms equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion, we want to ground these abstract definitions into measurable goals.
We as a Board will collaborate with the Director to make the library more accessible both in its physical space and in its role as a community center.
Our commitment is to create an environment that is reflective of our community's rich diversity through the following actions:
• Audit and amend existing and future Board policies and communications to ensure that they are held to the highest standards of diversity, inclusion, accessibility, equity, and justice.
• Provide ongoingtraining and professional development opportunities to our Board and Staff members to ensure they are aware of and responsive to the needs of our diverse community.
• Set strategic and long-range plans inclusive of EDAIJ that are informed by community engagement and aligned with best practices developed by the larger library community.
As we begin this work, we acknowledge that our goals may evolve and adapt to fit ever-changing definitions and standards, but our commitment to our community remains firm. -
HPL Board Meeting Minutes:
If you would need access to prior years, please contact Gillian Robertson Murphy at director@beaconlibrary.og.
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Ethel Lee, Head of Circulation
Email EthelKimberly Demetriou, Head of Youth Services
Email KimPeter McGivney, Public Assistance & Passports
Email PeterMichelle Rivas, Adult Services & Community Engagement Librarian
Email MichelleGillian Murphy, Library Director
Email Gillian -
Thursday, January 1, 2026
New Year’s DaySunday, April 5, 2026
EasterMonday, May 25, 2026
Memorial DayFriday, June 19, 2026
JuneteenthSaturday, July 4 2026
Independence DayMonday, September 7, 2026
Labor DayWednesday-Friday, November 25-26, 26 Thanksgiving Holiday
Thursday-Saturday, November 25-26, 26 Christmas Holiday
Thursday, December 31, 2026 (close at 5:30 pm)
New Year’s Eve