State Librarian Virginia Lowell met yesterday with Sen. Bob Hogue, one of her chief critics, and both said afterward they hoped the fierce debate over cuts in library hours would ultimately help ensure community needs are met. State seeks flexibility
in library cutsA state official wants communities
to be able to make up
for lost resources
By Susan Essoyan
sessoyan@starbulletin.com"We had a frank and open discussion," said Hogue, who called for her resignation last week. "All I'm looking for is flexibility in the process so that the communities are served the best way possible. ... It's not my intent to pound on anyone personally."
Facing budget cuts, Lowell has instructed libraries to open no more than five days a week, for 40 hours altogether. She told librarians to choose hours based on when usage was greatest, and include at least one evening shift and one weekend day. The restrictions, however, have sparked an outcry.
Lowell was out of town last week when Hogue urged his colleagues to join him in writing a letter urging her to step down. Lowell's five-year contract expires June 30.
Hogue said yesterday that he had written the letter but not sent it.
"At this point, I'm going to get some input from some of my colleagues," he said. "We're watching to see what's going to happen."
Lowell declined to comment on Hogue's actions. In an interview yesterday, she said cuts in service were a last resort and came after years of belt tightening that has affected less visible aspects of the library system, such as reference materials.
Without cutting staff, she has little wiggle room since personnel costs account for 87 percent of the library system's operating budget, with 11 to 12 percent going to overhead, and 1 to 2 percent to library materials, she said.
"We greatly appreciate the offers of support and the ideas that are coming out of the reaction to the curtailment of services," she said. "We have looked at many of the options."
The system is looking at ways to use dwindling resources more effectively, she said, and rely even more on volunteers, although there are legal constraints. Volunteers, for example, may shelve books but not check them out, because patrons' library records are confidential, she said.
Lowell also warned that some of the $900,000 in federal funds the library receives annually could be jeopardized if the operating budget dips below 95 percent of its three-year average.
The impact of budget cuts is on the agenda of today's meeting of the Board of Education's Library Committee. Waimanalo Library, which serves a public school as well, is seeking an exemption from the board to allow it to open Saturday for a reading program funded by a grant from Verizon.
Lowell said she opposes such exceptions, because of associated overhead costs and because all librarians in the system must be treated equally. But Committee Chair Carol Gabbard said yesterday she would recommend that the exemption be granted.
"These libraries belong to the people," she said. "I feel like we should be rewarding the Waimanalo community for going out there and getting a partnership with a private business to expand their program. I know the library system has huge constraints, but I think we need to be flexible."
Hawaii State Public Library System