Planning for the Future of the Howland Public Library
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent community conversation about the future of our building. Your input is essential as we work together to plan a library that reflects the needs and priorities of Beacon.
On Wednesday, May 27, we hosted our second public session, the WHY (We Heard You) Session. During this session, we shared what we heard from the community at the first meeting and confirmed that we captured your feedback accurately. We are still collecting input from the community. [Community Input Form]
View the Presentation Shared at the WHY
Facility Tour Update
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our facility tours on April 11th. It was great to see so many community members engaging with the building’s current condition firsthand. If you missed the tours, please take a moment to view this tour video.
Why We Are Doing This Work
The Howland Public Library is beginning an essential discussion about the future of our building. Our current facility was built around 1950 as a department store and became the home of the library in 1976 after we outgrew the Howland Cultural Center.
After decades of use, the building faces significant challenges:
A new roof is needed, with an estimated cost of more than one million dollars.
The building has almost no insulation, which leads to high heating and cooling costs.
Structural and accessibility limitations affect how effectively we can serve our community.
One of the early priorities for the new Library Director was to evaluate these long‑standing facility needs. Over the past two years, we have gathered community input through:
A public survey
Focus groups
One‑on‑one conversations
A series of community conversations
These efforts helped us understand the priorities of Beacon residents—both for the library and for the broader community.
To support this work, the Board invited Paul Mays of Butler Rowland Mays Architects, a firm with extensive experience designing and evaluating library buildings. Paul has led a comprehensive assessment of our facility, including engineering reviews, walkthroughs, and follow‑up meetings. His work will continue as we move into public workshops aimed at gaining deeper insight into what Beacon needs in a modern library.
Join Us in Shaping What Comes Next
The Library Board invites the community to participate in this ongoing process. At our public sessions with the architect, we will review the engineering findings and discuss what our community needs from a library building today and in the decades ahead.
This is the beginning of a series of workshops. No decisions have been made. The Library Board wants to hear from you and fully understand community priorities before considering any next steps.
Meeting Minutes
Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Building Committee Meeting Minutes
Building Reports
Your voice will help guide the future of the Howland Public Library.
We believe it is essential that the community sees our whole facility and storefronts!
Learn more about the status of our facility by taking an 8 minute video tour of our facility.
You may be surprised to see the space that is not able to be utilized in its current condition.
Video of basement conditions to be added shortly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
-
We are currently evaluating all options, including renovation of the existing facility and/or construction of a new facility.
If a move is ultimately recommended, the public will be informed well in advance and given opportunities to provide input.
-
ILibraries have EVOLVED significantly over the last several decades.
Today's libraries serve as:
Learning centers
Technology hubs
Community gathering spaces
Workforce development resources
The Board is EVALUATING whether the current facility adequately supports:
Collection space
Technology needs
Meeting rooms
Accessibility requirements
Energy efficiency
Future growth
-
The Board has discussed ways to provide flexible spaces that can support:
Public meetings
Educational programs
Cultural events
Workshops
Community gatherings
HOWEVER the primary mission of the facility will remain library service.
We are seeking community input regarding the types of spaces residents find most valuable.
-
Various design concepts are being evaluated, including efficient use of vertical space where appropriate.
Decisions regarding office locations will depend on:
Building design
Accessibility
Construction costs
Operational efficiency
Future staffing needs
No final determination has been made BUT all reasonable options are being reviewed.
-
Mixed-use developments that combine public facilities and housing are being used in some communities.
The Board is aware of these models and may evaluate them as part of broader planning discussions.
Any such proposal would require careful consideration of:
Zoning regulations
Financial feasibility
Ownership and management structure
Security and privacy concerns
Impact on library operations
The Board's primary responsibility = ensuring project effectively serves the library's mission & community's needs.
At this time - no decision has been made regarding housing as part of the project.
-
Funding options are still being evaluated.
Potential funding sources may include:
Grants
Public funding
Capital reserves
Donations and fundraising
Bond financing, if approved by voters
The Board is committed to transparency regarding project costs and funding plans.
Any major financial decisions will be clearly communicated to the public.
-
Community input is a vital part of this process.
HPL has asked for community participation via:
Public meetings
Surveys
Community forums
Board meetings
Project updates on library communication channels
In the News
Howland Library Ponders Its Next Move
Community, staff weigh options as building shows its age
The Howland Public Library in Beacon is asking residents to weigh in on the future of its building, a beloved but aging former department store at 313 Main St.
The library moved to Main Street in 1976, after outgrowing its original 1872 building, which became the Howland Cultural Center. But the library’s director, Gillian Murphy, said at a charrette on March 25 that the 15,000-square-foot structure, built in 1949 as Fishman’s department store, is badly in need of repair. [Read Full Article]
by Jeff Simms, Author- Highland Current