Library · Beacon
Howland Public Library
Beacon’s library is the Howland Public Library, a branch of Howland Public Library, open about 38 hours a week.
IMLS Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024School-district system. Beacon’s branch belongs to Howland Public Library, which serves 27,494 people. The yearly numbers below are for the whole system, not just this branch. A card works at every branch.
Your branch
Howland Public Library
313 Main Street, Beacon 12508
38 hrsopen a week
15,562sq ft
Fine-freeNo late fees on books returned late
E-books & audiobooksBorrow from home with your card
Auto-renews loansBooks renew on their own if no one’s waiting
Research databasesOnline courses, journals, genealogy and more
Fiscal year 2024
A year at Howland Public Library
142K
visits
5.2 per resident
110K
loans, print + digital
4.0 per resident
410
programs & events
9,105 attended
11K
library cards
39% of people served
How it compares
Against libraries serving 25,000 to 100,000 people
Per-resident numbers, compared only with libraries of a similar size across the country, because a tiny town’s library always looks busier per person.
Visits per resident
5.2 visits · typical 2.6
Higher than 88% of similar-size libraries
Borrowing per resident
4.0 print items · typical 3.7
Higher than 54% of similar-size libraries
Kids’ borrowing
2.0 kids’ items · typical 1.7
Higher than 57% of similar-size libraries
Program attendance
0.3 attendees · typical 0.3
Higher than 50% of similar-size libraries
Cardholders
39% of residents
A little below typical (49th percentile)
Borrowing & programs
What people use it for
What people borrow
110K loans last year
Books & media (adults)50%Kids’ books & media50%E-books, audio & streaming0%
Who the programs are for
410 story times, classes, clubs and events
Money
Who pays for it
$48 per resident a year
Typical for a library this size: $40. Operating budget $1.3M.
Local 97%State 1%Gifts & other 3%
About these numbers
How to read this page
Hours are an averageThe survey reports a building’s public hours for the whole year. We divide by the weeks it was open, so check the library’s own site for today’s hours.
Compared by size“Similar-size” means libraries serving about as many people, nationwide. Per-resident numbers always flatter the smallest towns, so they’re never compared with big cities.
One year, the library’s own countLibraries report their own visits, loans and programs for fiscal year 2024. A library that didn’t respond keeps its address and hours here, with no numbers.
Source: Institute of Museum and Library Services, Public Libraries Survey, fiscal year 2024. Distances are straight-line from the town center.