Howland Public Library

Your Public Good

Welcomes you this evening to honor the recipient of the

2010Helen Savoit Award for Library Advocacy

Helen Savoit had a life-long love of books and reading.

Helen, age 5

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

The Howland Public Library Board of Trustees is delighted to announce that

Wanda V. Sramek is the recipient of the 2010 Helen Savoit Award.

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 ClubFriends of the Howland Public Library

Howland Cultural CenterSt. 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.

Wanda Sramek is a wonderful library advocate and most deserving of the Helen

Savoit Award. Everybody loves Wanda.

Her Family

Her friends at the Howland Public Library

Her friends on the Howland Public LibraryBoard of Trustees

And all of you who have joined us this evening

to honor her

The Howland Public Library thanks the family of Helen Savoit

for their generosity and support,& reminds everyone…

Why we’re here.

Children’s (and Doggie’s) Programs

Why we’re here.

Teen Programs

Why we’re here.

Adult Programs

Why we’re here.

Information Access for All

Why we’re here.

AARP Tax Help & Informational Programs

Why we’re here.

& Helen’s Personal Favorites: Books!!!

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…

… and to recognize Wanda Sramek for her efforts on behalf of the Howland Public Library.

Thank you, Wanda!