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.
Next Step: WHY Session
(We Heard You)
We will soon announce a WHY Session to review what we heard from the community and confirm that we’ve captured your feedback accurately. Once scheduled, the session will appear on our online calendar and registration will be required.
At our last session, 42 people registered with more than 75 attending. We are thrilled that our community is so engaged in this conversation! For our WHY session we will require registration. This will help us secure a venue large enough to accommodate everyone who wants to participate.
If you have not yet completed an input form and would like one, please contact Gillian Robertson Murphy, Library Director, for a blank copy.
Facility Tours — April 11
We also invite you to sign up for one of our facility tours on April 11. A link to register is available on our homepage. These tours are a valuable opportunity to see the building’s current condition and understand why we are having this important conversation.
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.
Your voice will help guide the future of the Howland Public Library.
View the presentation slides from our first public session with architect, Paul Mays, Butler Rowland Mays.
Meeting Minutes
Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
Building Committee Meeting Minutes
Building Reports
FAQ: Future of Our Building
1. Are you proposing a new library building?
A: No. We are not proposing a new building at this time. We are asking the community for input on several challenging facility issues in our current building so we can understand priorities before making any decisions.
2. What is the goal of the public meeting (charette)?
A: The purpose is to listen. We want to hear what people want from their library, how they feel about the current building, and what needs they see in the community. This feedback will guide any future planning for the existing building or help determine whether a new building should be considered later.
3. Why are you doing this now?
A: Some building issues, such as the roof, cannot be delayed any longer. Earlier attempts to address facility challenges, including the 2005 referendum, did not move forward. Today, the library is on more stable financial footing, and our services and collections are strong, but the building no longer meets the needs of the community. It is the right time to look at long-term solutions.
4. Are you planning to move the library off Main Street?
A: No. No decisions have been made about location or long-term plans. That is why we are asking for community input now. We want to hear from residents before making any decisions about our future.
5. What is the timeframe for this process?
A: We will hold several public sessions with our architect to review the building’s issues and learn about the community’s needs and concerns. After gathering that feedback, the architect will return with possible concepts to make sure we understood the community correctly. Planning will continue with community involvement at each step.
6. Is the library presenting a specific plan or proposal?
A: No. We are not presenting a plan. We are starting with questions and listening sessions so any future plan is shaped by community priorities.
7. What kinds of building issues are you talking about?
A: Major capital needs such as the roof, HVAC, accessibility, and long-term maintenance concerns. We want the community’s help in determining how these should be addressed, whether through repair, renovation, or eventually considering larger solutions.
8. How can people stay informed or get involved?
A: Residents can attend the public sessions, follow updates on our website and newsletters, and share feedback directly at any time. The more voices we hear, the better our planning will be.
9. Are you trying to increase the library’s budget?
A: Not at this stage. These conversations are about understanding needs and gathering information. Any budget decisions or proposals would come later and only after community input and board discussion.
10. What is the library’s overall goal in this process?
A: To work in partnership with the community to determine the best path forward. Whether it is repairing what we have, renovating, or eventually considering a larger project, we want decisions to be based on real community priorities.