Budget restrictions may lead to temporary library closures

WAILUKU - Budget restrictions, hiring freezes and staffing shortages could lead to a temporary closure at the Lahaina Public Library, State Librarian Richard Burns is reporting today to a Board of Education committee.

Two Big Island libraries - at Holualoa and Kealakekua - also face temporary closures.

Reduced hours or intermittent closures also could happen at libraries in Hana, Kahului, Kihei, Molokai and Wailuku, according to Burns' report to the board. Twenty-three libraries on Oahu, the Big Island and Kauai also could see library hours cut back.

But Neighbor Island board representative Mary Cochran of Maui expressed confidence Tuesday that there would be no permanent closures of public libraries in Maui County.

"There's not going to be any closure," she said Tuesday.

Burns' proposal to manage state budget restrictions in 2010 for the state's 51 public libraries is on the board's Committee on Budget and Fiscal Accountability agenda today. The panel meets at 3 p.m. in Honolulu.

Burns' proposal takes into consideration a nearly $2.8 million budget restriction, plus an additional shortfall of $800,000 in operating (nonpersonnel) costs for fiscal year 2010.

Burns' office recommends meeting budget restrictions by freezing all vacant positions (72 full-time employees) and placing all library employees on a two-day furlough each month.

In July, the Board of Education nixed Burns' previous plans to save money by shutting down a few of the small branches in the state, including the Hana Public and School Library. Public outcry from the remote East Maui community ensued.

Last month, the board directed Burns to rescind his library closure list and come up with other ways to reduce costs and services without permanent closures.

Cochran said she spoke with Burns on Tuesday and was assured that a permanent closure was not intended for the Lahaina Public Library.

But, without being able to hire temporary employees to fill staff shortages, the Lahaina Public Library "would not have the minimum staffing levels required to remain open to the public."

Cochran said the Lahaina library is scheduled to shut down for a week in September for maintenance. She said the library's hours might have to be curtailed because it must be staffed at all times by at least two employees. If one has to take a day off for whatever reason, the library would have to shut down because of its inability to meet minimum staff requirements and health and safety mandates, she said.

Cochran said board members have ideas on how libraries might consider maintaining more public service hours without spending state money.

"Have you ever heard of community volunteers?" Cochran asked. "There are lots of willing and able people ready to support libraries and help out."

In his report, Burns said he expects the public library system would run out of general funds by mid-May 2010 based on current payroll and operating expenditures.

Libraries have already begun the process of intermittent closures and more are scheduled in the next few months, he said.

Burns proposed planned, temporary closures of selected libraries "as the most effective action until the budget situation improves. This will allow for more stability in staff coverage, defined public service hours, and patron convenience and knowledge of reliable library schedules."

* Claudine San Nicolas can be reached at claudine@mauinews.com.