Long-range Plan for Howland Public Library in Beacon, NY approved by Board of Trustees 9/2/2014.

1. Library 2020
Long-range Plan for Howland Public Library
approved by Board of Trustees 9/2/2014

2. VISION
The Howland Public Library, located
on Market Square in the heart of
the Beacon City School District, will
be a center of community activity
and will provide the collections,
services, programs, and facilities
necessary to realize its service
mission.

3. MISSION
To provide materials and services to help our community
obtain information to meet their personal, educational and
professional needs. Special emphasis is placed on
 supplying current reading materials
 providing reference services
 making facilities available for local individuals, organizations
and agencies to do community work in a safe environment
 serving as a learning and activities center for all residents of
the Beacon City School District.
To accomplish this Mission, the Board of Trustees, Director and staff
of the Howland Public Library will do its best to achieve the Goals set
forth below in the following five areas.

4. I. Advocacy and Awareness
GOAL
Improve communication to all constituencies regarding the
importance and vitality of the Howland Public Library.
OBJECTIVES
• Make the public aware of the different kinds of materials available through press
releases, mailings, online newsletters, and in-library and outreach posters, and
links on City of Beacon, BCSD, cultural and other organization websites.
• Work with local as well as regional third-parties to provide relevant materials and
programming. Enhance community engagement through outreach to a variety of
groups. Seek input from residents regarding their needs.
• Allow individuals to explore and understand their personal heritage and local
history.

5. Actions:
1. Enhance publicity through improved program notifications
on partner web-sites, social media, annual print newsletter,
etc. Use local press and other media to communicate events
and plans to the public.
2. Enhance school district communication newsletters and
outreach.
3. Continue to collaborate with other libraries and community
agencies and organizations.
4. Encourage community groups to provide library exhibits
about their heritage
5. Develop a partnership with The Beacon Historical Society to
promote research and display historical artifacts.

6. II. Service
GOAL
To embrace the future, including initiatives and projects that make
more information resources available to everyone, and to provide a
framework for converting historical, genealogical and gift resources
into easily used and widely accessible materials
OBJECTIVES
• Improve and enhance existing collection of books, CDs and DVD to
meet the needs of a growing and diverse user base.
• Improve and enhance library technological resources to meet the
needs of a growing and diverse user base
• Explore plan of service for residents in areas of community unable to
come to 313 Main Street.
• Support digital literacy learning initiatives.
• Provide robust early childhood education programs, and provide
homework assistance.
• Develop closer relationship with schools in Beacon Central School
District.

7. III. FACILITY AND SPACE UTILIZATION
GOAL
Maintain, renovate and reconstruct existing library facility in response
to the changing needs of our community.
OBJECTIVES
• Insure funding to complete needed maintenance projects.
• Create flexible storage solutions in order to adjust print to e-format
materials space utilization and meet Community Use Service Goals.
ACTIONS
1. Hire a consultant to evaluate overall use of space and make design,
décor and usage recommendations.
2. Renovate 307 and 309 in accord with HPL Vision Statement as a
center of community activity, centrally located in the Market Square
section of Main Street.

8. IV. WORKFORCE
GOAL
Insure continuity of leadership and build
future workforce.
Objectives
Board of Trustees will work with the Director to
insure that all functions and services of the
library are adequately staffed.

9. V. FUNDRAISING, GRANTS, and FRIENDS of HPL
GOAL
Enable the HPL to grow and improve through an integrated
program of fundraising and by citizen participation and public
vote.
OBJECTIVES
• Establish a permanent mechanism for carrying through capital
project(s) fund raising campaigns
• Provide necessary support to strengthen Friends of HPL for
ongoing funding of extra-budget items.
• Improve advocacy in relation to City, County, and State
representatives, the NYS Board of Regents and the NYS Office
of Education
• Apply for grants to support Library2020 Goals and Objectives.