Nursing student Patrick Switzer estimates he has saved thousands of dollars borrowing textbooks from public libraries instead of buying them.

Beginning next fiscal year, it may become harder to find those college titles in the state's 51 libraries.

The Board of Education yesterday gave preliminary approval to slash 10 percent, or nearly $3 million, from libraries in the 2009-11 budget.

The cuts would lead to fewer books on shelves, with funds being eliminated for the purchase of best-sellers, children and young adult favorites, as well as foreign language, audio, digital and visual materials. It also would freeze hiring to fill 57 vacancies, and cut back on outreach programs and storytelling sessions, officials said.

Still, the plan is viewed as the best-case scenario for libraries.

Gov. Linda Lingle's administration has asked all state departments - including the $30 million general fund library system - to prepare for budget cuts of 10, 15 or 20 percent because of slow revenue collections that could result in a $903 million deficit by fiscal 2011.

A school board committee on public libraries and student support services unanimously approved trimming 10 percent from libraries yesterday after officials warned that a 15 percent cut would force up to eight libraries to shut down and put more than 20 employees out of work.

“;I think that was very positive,”; Keith Fujio, administrative services officer for libraries, said about the decision.

The proposal will be considered by the full school board tomorrow at Aliamanu Middle School, with public testimony beginning at 7 p.m.

Earlier this year, Hawaii's slowing economy prompted lawmakers to trim the library's budget by more than $900,000 and Lingle imposed a 4 percent spending restriction on all state departments, or $1.1 million for libraries.

Meanwhile, the library system's operating costs will go up with the expected completion of the North Kohala Public Library at the end of 2009 and the Manoa Public Library by mid-2010. Fujio has said libraries already are short $500,000 to cover the rising costs of gasoline, postage, utilities, security, and repair and maintenance work.

More than 800,000 people hold state library cards, according to library officials.

State Librarian Richard Burns noted libraries also are recovering from budget cuts in 1995, when 111 positions were removed, and in 2003, when 200 library hours were shaved. He said fewer than 50 of the positions have been replaced and just 103 service hours have been recouped.

School Board Chairwoman Donna Ikeda recommended that the committee preserve library funds, saying deeper cuts “;will severely cripple the library system.”;

“;And I don't think we can afford that,”; she continued. “;I think 10 percent is a huge cut, but they can still limp along and survive.”;

Ikeda also worried whether officials would be able to equip the Manoa and North Kohala libraries. She mentioned the $6.9 million Kapolei Public Library, which was built in 2002 but accumulated dust for two years when funding dried up to buy books. It eventually opened in 2004.

“;We are faced with another Kapolei situation,”; Ikeda said. “;Buildings. No books.”;

Fujio said money has yet to be appropriated for materials for the two libraries.

State Budget Director Georgina Kawamura said the Lingle administration would look at the school board's funding plan for libraries, as well as suggestions from other departments, before the governor submits her budget to the Legislature in December.

Switzer, the 32-year-old nursing student at Hawaii Pacific University, said the proposed library cuts are “;sad.”;

“;It's one of the few things that are still available to everybody,”; he said while sitting on the steps of the state's main library branch on the corner of Punchbowl and South King streets. “;A lot of libraries are used by people who don't have the resources to go out and buy their own stuff.”;