Hawaii’s Libraries Face
Cuts in Hours, Service
State Librarian Virginia Lowell warned the Hawaii Board of Education February 4 that budget cuts recently requested by the legislature for the 2002–2003 school year could result in branch closings and a sharp curtailment of library services. Lawmakers had asked the education department to prepare budgets reflecting reductions of 3–5% in order to adjust to a weakened economy, the February 5 Honolulu Advertiser reported.
Under the worst-case scenario of 5%, or a $1-million cut, some branches would close, staff positions would be eliminated, and the library would have to impose a maximum five-day work week and eight-hour workday that would erode hours of operation. “The library system will no longer be able to reach all residents of the state with library services,” Lowell said. A 3% cut would require the elimination of bookmobile service and curtail some children’s programs, while even a 2% cut would reduce acquisitions and lengthen lines for reference, circulation, reserve, and Internet services.
The July 2003 opening of a new branch in Kapolei is also in jeopardy unless the legislature funds it separately, according to Lowell. If the board has to choose between opening the new library, which is in the final stages of construction, and closing an existing one, the Kapolei building could be left standing empty.
“They need to see the magnitude of what they are proposing,” board member Donna Ikeda said. “That could save the system from the kinds of cuts we are considering.”
Posted February 11, 2002.
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