Publications

We believe keeping customers informed is important. HCLS publications help us communicate the strategies we use to deliver quality education for all. Copies of HCLS publications are made available here for your convenience.

2022 Annual Report

A major component of Howard County’s strong education system, Howard County Library System delivers high-quality public education for all through a curriculum that comprises three pillars: Self-Directed Education, Research Assistance & Instruction, and Enlightening & Instructive Experiences. The Annual Report reviews the year’s highlights as they related to each of the pillars.

PREVIOUS YEARS

Strategic Plan

Building on the successes that led to our Library of the Year Award and Five Star rankings by Library Journal, our strategic plan charts our course for the next five years, enabling us to continue delivering quality education for students of all ages in our community.

Howard County Library System’s Strategic Plan 2015-2020: view online or download as PDF
Howard County Library System’s Strategic Plan 2010-2015
Howard County Library System’s Strategic Plan 2005-2010

Howard County Library System Facilities Assessment and Master Plan: 2005 – 2030

UPDATE November 2019

In order to continue to prepare for the future and deliver high-quality public education for all, HCLS remains proactive about planning–including its facilities. In 2019, HCLS initiated a process to revisit and adjust the 2005-2030 Master Plan recommendations based on the evolution of original assumptions and new circumstances and opportunities that were unpredicted in the 2004 Master Plan process. Group 4 Architecture, Research + Planning, Inc was commissioned to facilitate this process, which included interviews and discussions with HCLS leadership and staff as well as input from the HCLS Board and the community.

Howard County Library System Master Plan Update

HCLS continues to experience significant growth in the community’s use of of its three-pronged curriculum: Self-Directed Education, Research Assistance & Instruction, and Instructive & Enlightening Experiences. HCLS outperforms peer libraries in almost all areas of standard accepted performance measures. To plan for future curriculum design and delivery in this growing jurisdiction, HCLS issued a request for consultant services to create a 25 year Facilities Assessment and Master Plan. The goal was to be able to provide for facilities that would not only be responsive to changing curriculum needs, but also anticipate curriculum needs and expectations of county residents. Providence Associates, Inc. was selected for the project and charged with:

Assessing HCLS’ current curriculum and identify future curriculum
Studying the physical condition of existing facilities and determine the adequacy of those facilities to serve the current county population and the projected population through the year 2030
Devising standards
Making recommendations for all aspects of HCLS’ capital program
Developing a program of requirements for a proposed HCLS Ellicott City Branch