On June 19, 2010, the Howland Public Library in Beacon, NY presented the second Helen Savoit Award for Library Advocacy to Wanda Sramek, long-time library supporter. The reception took place at the Southern Dutchess Country Club. This slide show, which was played throughout the event, describes the award and the recipient, Wanda V. Sramek.

1. Howland Public Library
Your Public Good

2. Welcomes you this evening
to honor the recipient of the
2010
Helen Savoit Award for Library Advocacy

3. Helen Savoit had a life-long
love of books and reading.
Helen, age 5

4. Helen’s love of reading led her to become a teacher
in the Beacon City School District, where she
taught for over 25 years.
A Town of Fishkill resident, she served on the
Howland Public Library Board of Trustees from
September 12, 1984 to June 19, 1995, and on
the Mid-Hudson Library System Board of
Trustees from 1988 to 1997.
As MHLS President, Helen Savoit represented all 65
public libraries in five counties in the
Mid-Hudson area.

5. After she “retired”, Helen volunteered in
Beacon Reads, the Friends of the Howland
Public Library bookstore located at 309
Main Street.
For many years, she also ran a popular
reading group that was re-named in her
memory.
The Helen Savoit Book Club usually meets
at 1:30 PM on the 2nd Tuesday of each
month in the library’s Adult Program Room.

6. Helen Savoit’s death on May 25, 2008 was a personal loss to the
Howland Public Library and a loss to all libraries in the region.
The Savoit family kindly requested that donations be made to the
Howland Public Library in Helen’s memory.

7. On June 14, 2010, the Savoit family
suffered another loss: their father, Robert
Savoit.
Mr. Savoit shared with us some wonderful
memories of his life with Helen. We were
happy that he was able to attend the first
Helen Savoit Award reception in 2009.
After his death, his family made a
generous donation to the library’s Helen
Savoit Fund in his name, and requested
that others do the same.

8. The spirit of Helen Savoit lives on in her family.
They have been unstinting in their support of the Howland Public Library.
On April 8, 2010, the family held a bake sale fundraiser at the library on
the day of our budget vote.
Both bake sale and budget vote were a big success!

9. The Howland Public Library Helen Savoit Award for Library Advocacy was established –
 in recognition of her efforts on behalf of the Howland Public Library and all libraries.
 because the need for people willing to speak up on behalf of public libraries lives on.

10. The Howland Public Library Board of Trustees is delighted to announce that
Wanda V. Sramek
is the recipient of the 2010 Helen Savoit Award.

11. Wanda Sramek has been involved in the community all her life.
She has been active in many local organizations:
Beacon Historical Society (recently retired as trustee after 20 years!)
Beacon Sloop Club
Clearwater Club
Friends of the Howland Public Library
Howland Cultural Center
St. John’s Seniors
Like Helen, she was a Beacon Reads bookstore volunteer from the start.
Wanda often acts as a community go-between,
matching the needs of one organization with the assets of another,
fostering good will wherever she goes.

12. Wanda Sramek is a wonderful library advocate and
most deserving of the Helen Savoit Award.
Everybody loves Wanda.

13. Her Family

14. Her friends at the Howland Public Library

15. Her friends on the Howland Public Library
Board of Trustees

16. And all of you
who have joined us this evening
to honor her

17. The Howland Public Library thanks the family of Helen Savoit
for their generosity and support,
& reminds everyone…

18. Why we’re here.
Children’s (and Doggie’s) Programs

19. Why we’re here.
Teen Programs

20. Why we’re here.
Adult Programs

21. Why we’re here.
Information Access for All

22. Why we’re here.
AARP Tax Help & Informational Programs

23. Why we’re here.
& Helen’s Personal Favorites: Books!!!

24. The Howland Public Library
Board of Trustees
thanks everyone here with us tonight,
and those who could only join us spirit,
for helping
to honor the memory of Helen Savoit…

25. … and to recognize Wanda Sramek
for her efforts on behalf of the
Howland Public Library.
Thank you, Wanda!