Annual Report
FY23 | HOWE LIBRARY CORPORATION
Trusted Resource for All Ages
Whenever I step into the Howe Library, as I do every week or two, I have the great pleasure of seeing people of all ages engaging with the library and its resources. Parents and children reading together. Tutors working with students. Library staff helping adults find accurate information. Participants in programs ranging from chess club and Knit Democracy to poetry workshops and the Summer Reading Program. We are so fortunate to have the Howe in our community.
We are continuously working to make the Howe even better. We recently engaged a strategic planning firm to assist with a community engagement and goal-setting process, and we look forward to your involvement. We have also been assessing our building’s energy efficiency, capacity, and suitability for today’s needs. You will hear more as the planning moves forward.
I am grateful for the community’s support of the Howe, which makes all this work possible. Community Sponsors and donors to the Howe Annual Fund support the library’s collections and programs. And a recent gift to the endowment from Pamela L. Doenges will help beautify the library and support core public services. Thank you for investing in the Howe!
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Expand & Diversify
Public libraries are community hubs, and the Howe staff work hard to connect people and create an atmosphere of trust and inclusion. The library’s mission has always been to gather people and provide access to information and opportunities for social connection. This past year, staff enhanced services so everyone can explore ideas and access materials from diverse perspectives.
Regarding programming, the Summer Reading Program—aptly called All Together Now—introduced participants to community figures, such as firefighters, police officers, conservationist Ben Kilham from the Kilham Bear Center, and shepherd Mary Lake from Can Do Shearing. We also expanded adult programming by collaborating with local organizations, making the library’s Zoom room available for community use, and adding the Check This Out! live author series, which introduces listeners to up-and-coming writers of diverse backgrounds.
As for collections, the Adult Services staff completed a diversity audit. You might have already seen more diverse voices represented throughout the expanded adult collection. Our wonderful new Head of Youth Services has been diligently preparing the youth collection for the school year. These accomplishments were achieved thanks to community support, and we feel privileged to work in a community that values its local libraries.
Howe Library brings together people, resources and information to engage our minds and to strengthen connections to our community and the world.
Jennifer Rickards Chair, Board of Trustees
Rubi Simon Director, Howe Library
Emily’s Legacy Society
Formed in 1912 with a gift from Emily Howe, these generous individuals have named the Howe Library Corporation in their wills or estate plans with a simple bequest or as a beneficiary of their life insurance, retirement plan, or IRA.
In Memory of Joan “Posey” Piane Fowler (1930-2023)
Posey Fowler, a longtime library supporter and Howe Trustee, made a lasting impact throughout the Upper Valley. Her fundraising efforts — both in 1974 and 2002 — made the present Howe Library building possible for generations to enjoy.
Howe Sustainers Circle
Join the Howe’s monthly giving program! Recurring donors provide steady support throughout the year — helping the library achieve its mission.
For more information on each program, visit www.thehowe.org/donate
Thank You
FOR YOUR ONGOING & GENEROUS SUPPORT
The Howe Library Corporation is grateful for the gifts received from many individuals, local businesses, and foundations. Donations to the Corporation fund 100% of library collections, programs, and other operating activities.
$2,500+
Andy Borowitz & Olivia Gentile
Mrs. Pamela L. Doenges
Nancy and Steve Marion
Clyde Watson
Debra Williamson
$1,000-$2,499
Barrette Family Fund of NHCF
Judson and Carol Burnham
Joanne M. Conroy
Bryant and Marilyn Denk
Carolyn Dever & Paul Young
The Emily Landecker Foundation
Help Is Passed On Fund of NHCF
P. Jack Hoopes and Vicki J. Scheidt
Ellen Ives and Colleen Johnson
Michael Jackson
Nancy Jackson
Mrs. Robert Macdonald
Sally and Ralph Manuel
Jane Kitchel McLaughlin and Peter J. McLaughlin
Amy B. Mucha+
Lynne Naughton
Linda and Rick Roesch
Jay and Colleen Rozzi
Barbara Spaid and Virgil Miedema
Still North Books & Bar
Matt and Sonya Stover
Bonnie and Clint Swift
Jim and Cindy Varnum
Larry Young and Toni LaMonica
$500-$999
Priscilla and Jack Benson
Philip and Charlotte Bernini
Jennifer and Chip Brown
Kate and Brian Bulthuis
John and Nancy Collier
Ann and Edward Craxton
Marilyn R. Crichlow
Harte and Ann Crow
Dale F. and Christine Eickelman
John and Cally Gilbert
Global Forest Partners LP
Peter and Melanie Golder
Vijay and Kirthi Govindarajan
Barbara and Thomas Hall
Carey Heckman
Jim and Kathryn Hourdequin
HSD, LLC
Marge and Ward Ives
Kevin and Punam Keller
Laura and Jim Larrick
Jason and Mimi Lichtenstein
Ellen and James Lynch
Katie and John Manchester
Carolyn and Peter Mertz
Jennifer Miller and Udi Greenberg
Marilyn M. Paganucci
Anne Pearson
Jennifer Rickards and Jona Roberts
Les and Diane Riman
Joan Rueckert
Jill and John Schiffman
Anne Segal
Hal and Carol Sox
Sheldon Stansfield
Tyler, Simms & St. Sauveur, P.C.
Michael Wagner and Laura Rice
Eileen Wang and Charles Gray
Chris and Emilia Warrington
Susan Weeks
Doug and Leslie Williamson
$250-$499
Susan Ackerman
Liz and Clay Adams
Ginia Allison
Patricia Appleton
Gert and Jan Assmus
Bruce and Patricia Atwood
Robert Barnes III and Ilana Cass
Yolanda Baumgartner
Marilyn Blight+
The Book Jam
Ellen and Tom Brydges
Bill and Nancy Carter
Jennie and Daniel Chamberlain
Davin Chor and Mary-Ann Tan
Marcus and Lindsay Coe
Kinson and Keri Craft
Judith B. Csatari
Drs. Lawrence and Linda Dacey
Brian and Marianne Doyle
Frances Friedman
Harold Frost
Bill and Kathy Geraghty
Barbara Hall
Cristina and Bill Hammond
The Hastings Family
Betty Heston
Kim and Simon Hillier
Kathleen Jones and Donald Perovich
Marcia Kelly and Barry Harwick
Suzanne Laaspere
Mrs. Anne Low
Erzo Luttmer and Ellen Meara
David and Ann Malenka
Josette and Raymond Malley
The Mancini Family
Liz and Matt Marshall
Eric Martin and Paloma Asensio
Lu Martin
Jayne McLaughlin
John and Linde McNamara
Sarah Miles and Kevin McCurdy
Al and Margaret Mulley
Elizabeth and Jim Napier
New Hampshire Humanities Council Inc.
Teresa Oden
Win and Mundy Piper
Stuart Pompian
Francie Prosser-Riessen
Red Kite Candy, LLC
Matt and Margaret Rightmire
Neil Roth and Cheryl Boghosian
Bruce and Michele Sacerdote+
Lynn and Gary Schwartz
Julie and Dudley Smith
Sara and Trent Staats
Rob and Janice Starkey+
Jed and Lindsay Sturman
Michael and Jennifer Taxman
Heidi and Thomas Trimarco
Katherine Wilkerson
Susan Wright
Doris Yates
$100-$249
Barbara and Tony Abbate
Mary Allen
Patty Armstrong and Fred Perkins
Mr. & Mrs. Dwight Aspinwall
Ken Baker and Judy Reeve
John and Virginia Bayliss
Ann and Mark Beams
Martha and Jim Beattie
Mark and Laura Beliveau
Judith and James Bernat
Michael and Ellen Bettmann
Peter and Chrysanthi Bien
Charles and Gillian Billo
Bill and Cyndy Bittinger
Tom Blinkhorn
William and Susan Boyle
Ann and David Bradley
Gary Brooks
Jessica and Gabe Brooks
Mary and Scott Brown
Richard and Lin Brown+
Sarah and Jay Buckey
Mary Ann and Len Cadwallader
Tribute Gifts
GIFTS IN MEMORY OF Lauren Chomko
Patricia W. Eckels
Mary Ann Hayward
Lawrence G. Hines
Mary E. Ives
Patsy Jackson
Carmen Kaesmeyer
Carletta Nevers
Deborah Nichols
Robert Norman
Emilie S. Piper
Bob Riessen
Connie Skewes
Joan Perry Snell
Pegge Strickler
Rocky Urgo
James Wright
GIFTS IN HONOR OF
Joshua Bennett
Stan Colla
Courtney Farrell
Joan Piane Fowler
Mary and Almon Ives
Jean Keene
Deborah L. Nichols
Cynthia Richey
Rubi Simon
Debbie Williamson
Barbara and Alan Callaway+
Michael and Jennifer Casey
Rob and Jan Chapman
Bala Chaudhary and Lawrence Walters
Mike Choukas
Kathy and Peter Christie
Dave and Ann Cioffi
Richard and Ellen Clattenburg
William and Elizabeth Clendenning
Stan and Judi Colla
Meg Colton
Marjorie Cook
Sylvia L. Cook
Kevin Cotter and Susan Hanifin
Dr. Joseph Cravero and Dr. Carolyn Murray
Larry and Debby Cromwell
Jane Darrach
Joseph and Elizabeth DeSimone
Julie and John Dolan
Robert and Mary Donin
Margaret L. Drinker
Katie Eaton
Linda and Rick Ely
David and Leslie Fall
George and Patricia Fowler
Peter and Marcia Frederick
Kay Freeman
Arthur Z. Gardiner, Jr.
Ben Gilson
Rabbi Jeff and Mindy Glickman
Pat Glowa and Donald Kollisch
Leah Goat
Board of Trustees, Front row: Jennifer Rickards, Laura Larrick, Carolyn Dever, Janice Starkey; Row 2: Debra Williamson, Tracy Walsh; Row 3: Nancy Carter, Stan Colla, Jeffrey Harris; Missing from photo: Keri Craft, Irasema Saucedo, Barbara Spaid
2022-2023 Board of Trustees
Jennifer Rickards
Laura Larrick
Vice Chair
Barbara Spaid
Secretary
Jeffrey Harris
Treasurer
Stan Colla
Keri Craft
Laura-Beth Goodman
Mariruth Graham+
Evan Grove and Laura Paulin
Ralph Hammock
Andrea and Michael Harris
Alice and John Harrison
The Hartstein Family
Jill and Bill Hatch
Edward and Carrie Hayman
James and Nancy Heffernan
Dr. and Mrs. Michael Herrick
Helene Hickey
Grace Hope Hill
Robert and Cynthia Hillas
Terence Hines
Sandra Hoeh
Romer and Deming Holleran
Silvia Holman
Michael & Avery Hoppa
Stephen and Nancy Hoverman
Reid and Jennifer Hutchins
Robert and Sylvia Jaccaud
The Jack and Dorothy
Byrne Foundation
Nicholas and Judith Jacobs
Ted and Kathy Jastrzembski
Glenn and Patricia Johnson
Kazal Family
Bob Keene
Ron and Carol Keenhold
Pattrawadi and Francis Kennedy
Eric and Maureen Krauland
Jane Lancaster
Tom and Karen Lanzetta
Fred and Ruth Lappin
Renee & David Lent
Barbara and Frank Lesher
Frank A. Logan
Lubrano Family Charitable Foundation
Ellen and Dan Lynch
Martha MacDonald
Linda MacKay
The Madonia Family+
Don and Arlene Mahler
Jeannie Mallary
Kristine and Pat McDevitt
Marlene F. McGonigle
Virginia McGrody
Mark and Gail McPeek
Linda and Roger McWilliams
Stephen G Melikian
Carrie Michelson and Leah Gitajn
Chris and Kim Milliman
Jerry and Nancy Mitchell
Jill M. Mortali
Randy and Bridget Mudge
Jim and Wendy Murphy
Walter and Joyce Noll
Olson Dietrich Family
Lisa and David Pastel
Joan L. Piccolo*
Frank and Betty Pizzuti
Sukie Punjasthitkul
Joanna E. Rapf
Athos J. Rassias
Renshaw - Taylor Family
Robert B. Rettig
The Richards Group
John and Lise Richardson
Catherine Rieke and Jason Pettus
Dennis and Louise Robison
Herb and Lois Roland
Irasema Saucedo and Antonio Gomez
Sandra and Erland Schulson
Sarah Schweitzer and Jeremy Eggleton
Karen and Marc Seltzer
Stephen and Susan Shadford
Karen Sheldon
Liese Shewmaker
Iain and Caroline Sim
Paul and Rubi Simon
Sarah Slater and Matthew
Lotterhand+
Mrs. Barbara Smith
Gerri and Geoffrey Smith
Roger H. Soderberg
Doug and Beth Staiger
John S. Stebbins
Ann Fowler Stevens
Elaine Sullivan
Buddy and Kirsten Teevens
Vijay Thadani and Onita Connington
Paul and Suzanne Thompson
Bill and Rita Tingle
Paula Tsai
Rick and Susan Tucker
Andy Tuthill and Susan Frankenstein
Doug and Aricca Van Citters
Noelle Vitt
Timothy and Susan Wagg
Rob and Tracy Walsh+
Mr. David Webb
Marnie and Terrence Welch
Huntley and Lynne Whitacre
Joanna Whitcomb
Tom and Joan Wilson
Jane Womack
R. Stewart Wood
Theresa Wood
Jimmy and Marjorie Wu
Julia Wybourne
Dr. and Mrs. William Young
UP TO $99
AmazonSmile Foundation
Jeanne and Perry Ball
Ingrid Barrett
Cheryl Bascomb
William and Jean Brown
Kenneth and Marion Burchard
Christopher Connor
David Dostal
Vicky and Reid Drucker
Woody and Emily Eckels
Heidi Eldred
Don and Beth Esinhart
Clifford and Felixa Eskey
Phyllis Fox
Brad Fulk and Jane McCarthy
W. Charles Gibson
Hanover Garden Club
Carolyn Dever
Irasema Saucedo
Janice Starkey
Tracy Walsh
Debra Williamson
Nancy Carter
Select Board Representative
Rubi Simon
Library Director
Mrs. John Heaney
Deb and David Hoffer
Rebecca Hooper
Thomas Kearney & Rebecca Pschirner
Philip and Sarah-Jane Kerr
Leigh Kesa Koida and Kevin Daft
Gail Kuhl and Wayne Gersen+
Mary R. Lincoln
Susan Linsey
Michael Liu and Shaofeng Yan
Marjorie and James Matthews
Mrs. Paul Mellish
R. James Miller & Chrissie Schelhas-Miller
Barbara Payson
Laurent & Irina Perreard
Joanna Petty
Maryann Piotrowski
Melanie Podolec+
Matthew and Cornelia Purcell
Patrick Purcell
Cathleen Scanlan
The Schembri Family
Molly P. Scheu
Cathy Shubkin and Steve Chapman
John and Mary Snell
Terryl and Dodd Stacy
Kenneth Stoddard
Kevin, Alyssa, and Wendell Sullivan
Malcolm and Barbara Swenson
Louise Nunan Taylor
Tom Urgo and Carol Abbey
Elizabeth Vesley-Gross
Robert Weatherill
Beverly Weeks
John and Judy Whitcomb
Genevieve Williamson
Ms. Karen Williamson
Martin and Yolanda Witschi
COMMUNITY SPONSORS
We are so grateful for the support of local businesses. Their generosity helps us serve the community with the highest-quality library services.
BOOKWORM — $1,000
Adimab, LLC
Baker Orthodontics
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
Commonwealth Financial Network
Decker, Pilon, & Lipinski – General Dentistry
Estes & Gallup, LLC
Granite Value Capital, LLC
Indigo
Ledyard National Bank
Lou's Restaurant & Bakery
Peraza Dermatology Group
Umpleby's Bakery & Café
Von Bargen's Jewelry
IN-KIND GIFTS
Mary Coffey
Duende
Peter and Melanie Golder
Drew Matter
Jason Pettus
Jennifer Rickards and Jona Roberts
Jay and Colleen Rozzi
SILO Distillery
Six South St Hotel
Steady & Growing
The Howe Library Corporation’s finances were on solid footing in fiscal year 2023 thanks to the generosity of the library community and the Town of Hanover.
OPERATIONS
The Howe Library relies on three funding sources to operate: the Town of Hanover, donations to the Howe Library Corporation, and the Corporation’s investment portfolios. The Town funds staffing and basic infrastructure. The Corporation’s operating cash flow - comprised of gifts from individual donors and Community Sponsors - funds library collections, programs, building enhancements, and new initiatives. The drawdown from the Corporation’s investment portfolios is critical as it meets the remaining operating need.
REVENUES
For fiscal year 2023, the Town funded $1,245,188 of library operations. Donations, historically the Corporation’s largest and most essential source of revenue, came in above budget at approximately $160,000. Our new Development Coordinator, Peggy Bellerive, and the active Development Committee were responsible for unrestricted gifts exceeding expectations. We also received a very generous gift to our Restricted Investment portfolio from Pamela L. Doenges, a long-time Howe patron. Community Sponsorships provided 18% of donations. Overall, total revenues reached $355,000.
EXPENSES
Expenses totaled $254,000, and all expense categories posted lower spending than anticipated except for Technical Services. The cost of the new library website was higher than forecasted, but technology spending will return to a normal level in fiscal year 2024. Expenses related to library collections and programming comprised 65% of total operating expenses. A breakout of expenses is shown above in the circular graph.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee manages the Corporation’s investment portfolios in the best interest of the Corporation. During fiscal year 2023, the committee reviewed our Investment Policy Statement (IPS) and
instituted very minor changes that will better control portfolio risks in the long-term. Our investments were managed in compliance with our IPS.
ENDOWMENT
As of June 30th, the endowment (investment portfolios) was valued at approximately $5.4 million, an increase of approximately 10% for fiscal year 2023. We withdrew $75,000 from our investment portfolios over the past year or roughly 1.5% of the portfolios’ average value. The 1.5% drawdown was well within the 3% IPS spending policy for investment funds.
Financial markets rebounded in fiscal year 2023, enabling our investment portfolios to largely recover most of the prior year’s losses. Our investment discipline resulted in performance stronger than the broader market and our benchmark. Our IPS mandates broad diversification within and across asset classes, and this positioning should enable us to capture market returns and control risks over time.
We’re grateful for the unwavering financial support from the Howe Library community. As stewards of this civic generosity, we manage our cash flow and investments for the benefit of present and future library users.
Thank you.
Jeffrey M. Harris Treasurer and Finance Chair
Emily Howe photo courtesy of Rauner Special Collections Library, Dartmouth College