[Nfb-hi] FW: Special Holo Imua issue, asking for help

[Charlene Ota]

As a member of the LBPH consumer advisory board, I am forwarding this
message from Fusako.  she is asking for help from all of us due to grave
concerns about budget cuts to the state library system which could include
LBPH as well.  Some or all of you may have also received this same document
via e-mail or in regular mail as braille, print or on cassette.  Your help
would be very much appreciated by contacting legislators and/or the governor
to let them know how important the library is to you.
 
Thanks for your help!
 
aloha,
charlene.

  _____  

From: Fusako Miyashiro [mailto:fusako at imail.librarieshawaii.org] 
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 9:51 AM
To: Fusako Miyashiro
Subject: Special Holo Imua issue, asking for help


LBPH will be sending out to all its patrons the special Holo Imua issue
requesting for help with testimonies and letters (see below).  CAB members,
if you can send to groups you represent.

Thanks, all
Fusako


Holo I Mua, Special Advocacy Issue, November 2008 

 HSPLS Braces for Additional Cuts 

 In response to a request from Governor Linda Lingle to all State Government
Departments, the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) prepared
proposals outlining a 10% ($2.982 million) and a 15% ($4.472 million)
reduction to their budget.

 State Librarian Richard Burns emphasized to the State Board of Education
(BOE) that both of these scenarios would be very difficult to accommodate,
especially after sustaining a 7%, $2.1 million reduction previously imposed
for the current fiscal year. He reiterated that HSPLS had never recovered
from two previous severe budget cuts:

 In 1995, 111 positions were eliminated, forcing HSPLS to reorganize,
streamline services and programs, and focus exclusively on core functions;
fewer than 50 of those positions have been restored or replaced.

*	In 2003, 200 public service hours were trimmed; to date, only 103 of
those hours have been restored. 

 To put the further budget cuts in perspective, the HSPLS budget consists of
three main areas: personnel costs, roughly 80% of the budget; digital and
print materials amounting to about 10%; and the remaining 10% consists of
everything else, including utilities, which currently total more than $2
million, or more than 5%.

 After hearing testimony from several concerned library patrons and
receiving numerous written testimonies from customers from all over the
state, the BOE members approved the HSPLS’ proposed 10% reduction for its
upcoming biennium operating and capital improvement project budget request
for fiscal years 2009-2011. The Board members agreed that a 15% budget cut
would have devastating and lasting negative effects on the public library
system, as well as on you, the people of Hawaii. 

 Mahalo from State Librarian Richard Burns (with photo)

“Mahalo nui loa for your assistance during this critical time, and for
helping the Hawaii State Public Library System continue to provide its
valuable, free services and programs to Hawaii’s library users of all ages!”

 How will a 10% Budget Cut Affect Our Patrons?

 With a 10% budget cut, HSPLS will be able to keep all 51 public libraries
open, though many will be forced to reduce public service hours, without
eliminating any permanent staff positions. A total of $2,981,746 would be
cut from the HSPLS budget. Two main areas will be targeted:

 First, funds for popular, centrally purchased books and materials would be
eliminated ($1,825,448), including:

*	Bestseller Hot Picks (such as new titles by Danielle Steele, Michael
Crichton, Stephen King, James Patterson, and other popular writers) 

*	Children’s High Demand titles (such as new titles by J.K. Rowling,
Lemony Snicket, Christopher Paolini, or Newbery, Caldecott, or Nene Award
winning books) 

*	Young Adult High Demand titles (such as new titles like “Twilight”
by Stephanie Meyer, new anime, or Best Books for Young Adults) 

*	Audio Visual High Demand titles (such as recently released movie
DVDs) 

*	Foreign Language Books (in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Filipino,
Vietnamese and Spanish languages) 

*	Digital Audio Books and e-Books (new downloadable titles from
OverDrive). 

 While individual libraries will continue to receive a small book budget,
allocations will be significantly reduced. Library staff will be unable to
purchase titles to keep collections current and valid. With fewer available
books, customers may expect access or waiting time for materials to
increase. Transfers between branches will greatly increase which will likely
result in long delays in getting highly-circulated books back on the
shelves.

 Secondly, vacant positions would be frozen, and substitutes and student
hires would be limited for a projected savings of $1,156,298. Freezing
vacant positions will severely hamper the ability of HSPLS to provide
adequate service to the public. Libraries with 1-2 employees will need to
close intermittently for security and safety reasons. Medium-sized libraries
must reduce public service hours in order to absorb the impact of their
vacant positions. Essential operations provided by library support offices
with vacancies would be limited, resulting in delays to the libraries or
elimination of programs, services or needed reports. Outreach programs would
be eliminated, storytelling would be greatly reduced, and special programs
in all areas would be curtailed.

 Mark Your Calendars 

 Nov. 4 – General Election Day holiday, all libraries closed. Exercise your
right to vote! 

Nov. 11 – Veterans Day holiday, all libraries closed. 

Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving Day holiday, all libraries closed. 

January 24, 2009 – Deadline for student entries (K-12) of poster contest:
new Abraham Lincoln Traveling Exhibition coming to Hawaii State Library in
March 2009. Visit www.librarieshawaii.org <http://www.librarieshawaii.org/>
for complete contest rules and guidelines. Students must turn in entries
through their schools and schools in turn, may drop off entries at
designated public libraries. Prizes to be awarded; call the library’s site
coordinator at 586-3499 for more information.

 You Can Help By Supporting Hawaii’s Public Libraries!

 Now more than ever, Hawaii’s public libraries need your support, and an
effective way to demonstrate your love for public libraries is by becoming a
library advocate! Please write a letter, send an email or fax, or call the
Governor and your state legislators to let them know how you or your family
have benefited and been enriched by services and programs provided by
Hawaii’s public libraries. 

 Whether you choose to make a phone call, type an email, or write a letter
to your elected officials, here are some helpful tips on how to become an
effective library advocate:

 Identify yourself and share which public library you and your family use.

*	State your message. Let your elected officials know how important
the library is to you, and that you are counting on them to ensure that
libraries have adequate funds and resources. 

*	Be specific. State how the budget cuts to the library system will
affect you and your family. When you write during the legislative session,
cite a bill (as an example, Hawaii State Public Library System EDN 407) or
provide other identifying information.  

*	Write from the heart. Provide a personal story and focus on the
people who depend on library services. Share real-life stories of how the
library makes a difference in the lives of constituents. 

*	Be brief – one page is easier to read, and will likely be read! 

*	Include your name, mailing address, email address, and telephone
number in the letter, to allow your legislator to respond to you. 

 Here are the addresses/phone numbers/links for the following elected
officials:

 The Honorable Linda Lingle

Governor of Hawaii

State Capitol

Honolulu, HI 96813

 Phone: (808) 586-0034

Fax: (808) 586-0006

Email: governor.lingle at hawaii.gov

 This link will take you to a directory of State Legislators:

State Representatives

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/house/members/members.asp
<http://www.capitol.hawaii/gov/site1/house/members/members.asp> 

 

State Senators

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/senate/members/members.asp

 Additional information, bullet points, and sample testimony letters will be
posted on the HSPLS website, www.librarieshawaii.org
<http://www.librarieshawaii.org/> . If you have any questions, please
contact your local library, or the Library Development Services Section at
(808) 831-6878 or by email at lds at librarieshawaii.org.

 How will a 15% Budget Cut Affect Our Patrons?

 With a 15% budget cut, a total of $4,472,619 would be taken from the HSPLS
budget. 

 In addition to the previously mentioned areas (eliminating popular,
centrally-purchased materials, freezing vacancies and limiting substitutes
and student hires), HSPLS would be forced to close 6-8 libraries and
eliminate 20 positions. The personnel and operational costs from these
libraries will allow HSPLS to meet this budget cut.

 Now that the BOE has approved of a 10% budget reduction for HSPLS, what
happens next?

 Over the next 2 to 3 weeks, Governor Lingle will carefully analyze the
budget reduction scenarios submitted by all state departments in order to
prepare and submit a balanced budget in time for the opening of the
Legislative Session in January 2009. 

Governor Lingle may choose to reduce, increase, or accept HSPLS’ 10% budget
reduction.

 Support your Libraries!

 Hawaii’s Public Libraries are a Sound Economic Investment – 

Selected Testimonies from Patrons

 “Libraries are the hub of a community and provide life-long learning
opportunities for everyone in the area. Libraries provide the information
and tools that are necessary in a normal economy, but are needed even more
in times of economic strain. We should be offering more hours and more
assistance to those who need help researching opportunities to help
themselves. Free public libraries are the foundation of our society, and we
must do everything we can to ensure their stability.”

Byrde Cestare, Executive Director, Friends of the Library of Hawaii

 “We realize cuts maybe necessary, but we ask that prudent choices be made
since the library and their staff and resources have a great potential to
shape the future communities by influencing our youth to be brighter, more
creative, and more hopeful.”

Annabelle Clay, Mililani Public Library patron

 “I own a small business, and am likely to use a public library to support
my business. For example, I have relied on the Hawaii State Library for
market research, as well as finding statistics for presentations to my
clients. Many library services such as legal resources, high speed Internet
access for the public, and business periodicals are extremely beneficial to
business and economic growth in Hawaii. If these library services were
reduced I think it could interfere with business growth for many firms like
mine.”

Janet Mason, Hawaii State Library and Aina Haina Public Library patron

 “My older son initially struggled with learning to read, but because he
loved the stories Aunty Brenda (Freitas-Obregon) read to him, he never gave
up trying to learn to read for himself, and he has overcome his reading
disability. I understand that during difficult economic times, it is
necessary to cut funding to many “essential services”; however, it is during
difficult economic times that libraries again become an important resource
for all people. It is during difficult times that the libraries must remain
fully staffed and funded to accommodate people who use Internet services,
etc. to search for jobs, or simply to be in a place where people can talk to
someone who can help them find answers.”

J. K., Kalihi-Palama Public Library patron

 “Molokai is rather unique in that we have very little in the way of normal
entertainment (no movie theaters, bowling alley, etc.) So the facilities of
our library becomes of prime importance to everyone here. Our staff is very
small at present and if we are forced to eliminate anyone it will cause a
great burden on a few remaining employees. Our librarian, Sri TenCate, has
made our library a focal point of our community, and I feel we must keep the
support at the highest possible level.”

Frances Feeter, Molokai Public Library patron

 “I am writing on behalf of my fiancé, a legally blind bedridden
quadriplegic with MS. In our experience, the public library system is
unmatched in efficiency, responsiveness, quality, and professionalism. The
Library (for the Blind and Physically Handicapped) and every kind,
courteous, helpful staff person changed his life. He has mentioned numerous
times to his physicians that without his LBPH membership and their
newsletters, free audiomagazine subscriptions, book recommendations, and
special programs, his quality of life would be drastically limited. Please
don’t disable one of the better functioning systems in Hawaii. The impact on
the disabled populations would be devastating as there is nothing comparable
to take the place of this service.”

L. D., Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped patron

 Photo Caption: 

Several concerned patrons including Howard Shima (Salt Lake-Moanalua Public
Library), testified last month at the Board of Education meeting regarding
HSPLS budget cuts.