Hawaii Budget-Crisis Fix Would Close Five Branches

Hawaii Budget-Crisis Fix Would Close Five Branches

Hawaii State Librarian Richard Burns has proposed closing five public libraries as of the end of the year to address a $5.7-million cut in funding. The proposal, presented by Burns to the state Board of Education July 9 to address a nearly 20% reduction in the Hawaii State Public Library System’s budget, also includes $1.3 million in furloughs and other salary savings and the elimination of 67 vacant positions to save $2.2 million.

The libraries targeted for closure are the Holualoa, Pahala, and Kealakekua branches on the Big Island; the Ewa Beach branch on Oahu; and the Hana branch on Maui. Burns said the list was based on low usage, proximity to other branches, staffing vacancies, and other factors, the Honolulu Advertiser reported July 10.

The proposal, which the board will vote on at its July 16 meeting, drew sharp criticism from some board members. Maui board member Mary Cochran pointed out that residents of the isolated town of Hana would have to drive more than two hours to reach the closest library in Makawao, 40 miles away. “They are going to close Hana down over my dead body,” she declared.

Three of the targeted facilities are on school campuses and are used as the schools’ libraries. Burns said the schools would be allowed to retain age-appropriate materials for student use, although they would have to fund staffing and other operating expenses out of their own budgets.

Other educational systems in the state are facing similarly draconian cuts: The Board of Education approved $227 million in cuts from its $1.8-billion school system budget July 10, and the University of Hawaii is seeking to address $155 million in budget cuts over the next two years.

Gordon Flagg, American Libraries Online
Posted on July 10, 2009.