A Brief History of the Howland Public Library

The meeting to establish the Howland Circulating Library was January 5, 1872.

It was held in the director’s room of the First National Bank of Fishkill Landing.

The library was named after General Joseph Howland, the first president of the library board. The library was housed in what is now the Howland Cultural Center designed by Richard Morris Hunt, one of the founders of the American Institute of Architects. The library building was opened on August 5, 1872.

The Howland Public Library provides materials and services to help community residents obtain information meeting their personal, educational and professional needs. Special emphasis is placed on supplying adults with current reading materials; on providing free access to computers and the internet, on reference services to students (at all academic levels) and other information seekers; and on making our facility available for individuals, organizations and agencies to do community work. The library serves as a learning and activities center for all residents of the Beacon City School District.