STAR-BULLETIN FILE PHOTO / OCTOBER 2001 At 35,000 square feet, the Kapolei Library is set to be the state's second largest. It is scheduled to open in July 2003.

Panel approves
$1 million to furnish
Kapolei Library

But other libraries may close
because of budget cuts,
says the state librarian

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By Lisa Asato
lasato@starbulletin.com

A key Senate committee has approved $1 million in emergency funding for books and furnishings for the new Kapolei Library, but the state librarian warned that other public libraries may be closed because of budget cuts.

"The libraries we would choose to close will be chosen on the basis of geographic location, usage, circulation, those kinds of criteria which the Kapolei Library will much better meet than some of our current operations," said state Librarian Virginia Lowell.

Libraries subject to closure have not been designated, she said, adding, "We are supposed to be reaching all the residents of the state of Hawaii, so libraries that are far apart from other libraries would probably be the ones we would try to save."

Despite the possible budget cuts of 4 percent or more, Lowell and the Board of Education want the Kapolei Library to open next year.

At 35,000 square feet, the Kapolei Library is set to be the state's second largest after the main library on King Street. Lowell said she is also seeking $1.7 million in supplemental budget funds to cover the cost of running the library for one year, including utilities and 24 staffers.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee yesterday approved the $1 million request, which now goes to the full Senate. If approved, it will them go to the House.

Both the $1 million in emergency funds and $1.7 million in supplemental funds must be met before the library can open as planned in July 2003, Lowell said.

"It takes 12 to 18 months to build a circulation to sustain a library that size," she said. "We're looking to open with 60,000 volumes on the shelves (and) 5,000 videos."

She said much of the $100,000 raised in the Books for Kapolei campaign has already gone to build the library's collection. "But that's a drop in the bucket to what we are really going to have to spend."

Lowell said the library is nearly complete and is scheduled to be handed over to the state in the next several weeks. But the construction company may need until summer to install shelving and other equipment it has ordered, she said.

"This construction company has been very thorough," she said. "We're real pleased with the way it's turning out. The problem right now is having a building on our hands that we're going to be paying utilities ... for, but we don't have the operating money to make it come alive yet."

Also yesterday, the Ways and Means Committee approved bills that would:

>> Repeal the law providing for the storeroom revolving fund, which funds the state Department of Education's supplies warehouse.

>> Establish a check-off box on state tax return forms for single filers to give $3 and joint filers to give $6 toward educator scholarships for those who agree to teach in Hawaii public schools for at least four years.

>> Change the per-pupil funding allocation for charter schools, provide a timetable for the DOE to hand over per-pupil allocations, and provide charter school teachers with probationary and tenure status comparable to other DOE teachers.