Cuts to library hours advance - Hawaii News

Close libraries on certain days but don't cut hours to ridiculous levels like 9-3pm weekdays only. That's just dumb. Who's supposed to use the library that way when students are in school and taxpaying citizens who fund the library are at work? Ridiculous.

Where are the philanthropists of this age? Oddly enough the Robber Barons, through a kind of self aggrandizing generosity, managed to support some socially beneficial works. Carnegie became famous for building libraries; today the actions of the rich bleed society dry and we see libraries either closing or cutting back so much they might as well be closed. Hawaii is just now coming off the most profitable thirty years imaginable and what is left behind: homelessness, inadequate sewers, aged water system, broken roads, horrendous traffic, poor schools, insufficient health care, shortages of nursing homes, and on and on. The rich took their pound of flesh and bone and have abandoned the wage slaves to their fate.

What about volunteers? Many retires, like me, use the library regularly and would be glad to put some time in to keep them open at least part time.

Everyone complains and whines that the state has no money. Do what needs to be done here. Close it. Can't make everyone happy.

It's the way things work around here. If the state needs to save money, just shut down something that has to do with education.

Shut It Down should maybe shut up! Libraries are a good thing, and have been helping people for generations. They have been taking hits financially and staff wise in Hawaii for decades. Join a Friends of the Library group at your local library and donate your time with used booksales, fundraisers and other ways of helping. Advocate for smarter cuts in hours, as mentioned by Bookreader. Advocate for more online book reading options. But don't give up on our libraries!

While the work of volunteers are very much appreciated at all of the library branches, volunteers alone cannot keep a branch open. By law, volunteers cannot be placed in regular library staff positions. In addition, while there are many hard-working and dedicated volunteers currently serving in the libraries, the fact is that volunteers will only show up when their schedule permits. If they can't show up due to some other scheduled event or unplanned circumstance, even at the last minute, they won't show up. They are not paid, so there is not the same expectation of attendance as a regular employee. A fully functioning library branch needs to be adequately staffed in order to provide a quality level of customer service to the public.

Mike wrote:

What about volunteers? Many retires, like me, use the library regularly and would be glad to put some time in to keep them open at least part time.

If you really want to be helpful when you report news like this, please dig a little deeper and also give a detailed list of which branches will have altered days and new hours. If you dont want do all that typing just provide a link we can click on.
Thanks

When the rural libraries are shut down, will arrangements be made for patrons to pick up and drop off materials that were reserved via the HSPLS online system? Hopefully, something can be done so people won't have to travel a long distance to pick up and return a book, CD or DVD that they reserved online. That's one of the best services because you have access to the entire library system's collection statewide.

Avid Reader wrote:

If you really want to be helpful when you report news like this, please dig a little deeper and also give a detailed list of which branches will have altered days and new hours. If you dont want do all that typing just provide a link we can click on.
Thanks

You can go online and look it up.

http://www.librarieshawaii.org/locations/hour...

enufalready wrote:

Where are the philanthropists of this age? Oddly enough the Robber Barons, through a kind of self aggrandizing generosity, managed to support some socially beneficial works. Carnegie became famous for building libraries; today the actions of the rich bleed society dry and we see libraries either closing or cutting back so much they might as well be closed. Hawaii is just now coming off the most profitable thirty years imaginable and what is left behind: homelessness, inadequate sewers, aged water system, broken roads, horrendous traffic, poor schools, insufficient health care, shortages of nursing homes, and on and on. The rich took their pound of flesh and bone and have abandoned the wage slaves to their fate.

You are correct, the robber barrons also did good with their money, because it was their hard earned and saved money that they invested in their business. Today the rich do not own anything. They play the market on borrowed funds ( Hedge Funds and 401K's to make their money.) They could care less about giving it away, but they do want a bail out for the tax payers when they fail.

I also read that volunteers can't be used for security reasons due to the personal information contained in the computer records of all card holders.

enufalready wrote:

Where are the philanthropists of this age? Oddly enough the Robber Barons, through a kind of self aggrandizing generosity, managed to support some socially beneficial works. Carnegie became famous for building libraries; today the actions of the rich bleed society dry and we see libraries either closing or cutting back so much they might as well be closed. Hawaii is just now coming off the most profitable thirty years imaginable and what is left behind: homelessness, inadequate sewers, aged water system, broken roads, horrendous traffic, poor schools, insufficient health care, shortages of nursing homes, and on and on. The rich took their pound of flesh and bone and have abandoned the wage slaves to their fate.

The rich have a long history of philanthropy in the United States. Statistically, the donations for most nonprofits are centered in the higher income brackets. Look around this state. How many buildings have "Weinberg" on them? How many buildings at private schools have individual names on them?(Example: Steve Case donated $12M for Punahou's Case Middle School.)

Obama's plans to cut the tax deductibility of donations for the wealthy will not improve this picture, nor will his increased taxing of their earnings. I am quite leery of Obama's intentions as these actions would lead to a greater government influence in the nonprofit arena. Seems that Obama wants government to decide which organizations are and are not worthy of support, not individuals. I can't wait to see what happens to religious institutions which currently get a large share of donations.

No beeg ting!!!!!!!!

Avid Reader wrote:

If you really want to be helpful when you report news like this, please dig a little deeper and also give a detailed list of which branches will have altered days and new hours. If you dont want do all that typing just provide a link we can click on.
Thanks

Oh that's rich!
You are asking the SB to actually hire someone who is intelligent enough to form questions and write complete sentences themselves?
Isn't just regurgitating the press release enough?
Pretty soon you're going to be asking for some poor reporter to get out of the office, and actually go to the scene and investigate, rather than just getting the story from the 6 o'clock news.
Sheesh.

Interesting that the individuals who usually comment on stories such as these - replete with spelling, syntactical, and grammatical errors galore in every sentence - have somehow missed this one.

It's surprising that they aren't pushing for the entire system's closure since it's a waste of money - like food stamps or public housing - on a taxpayer-paid service that will never benefit them.

It's about time everyone stop getting a free lunch paid for by the state. Start paying a little to use the state's resources.

I posted the suggestion about volunteers and after reading "someone in the know" I agree with their points. I had not considered the matter of confidentiality for example.
Thanks for the input.
How about alternating opening library's that are close together. For example, Mililani & Wahiawa. Have each open three days a week and have the same staff operate both? Would that or some variation work?

Avoiding staff layoffs and furloughs is a high priority to those affected. The simplest solution would be to proceed with the closure of Holualoa and Kealakekua (which can't be properly staffed), and Pahala (since usage statistics put it very low).

What would make sense for Oahu is consolidation of the "clustered" libraries; for example, Waikiki, Manoa, and Kaimuki are all very close to each other. Develop a schedule where two libraries are closed an extra day a week, and use the staff to extend the hours of another branch nearby. This would save on facility bills. Same story with Waipahu, Pearl City, and Aiea.

They could also alternate closing days for Hawaii Kai and Aina Haina, since practically everyone that lives in Hawaii Kai owns a car and drives past Aina Haina on a daily basis. Same story for Ewa Beach and Kapolei, if Ewa was closed, and the staff moved to Kapolei for the day, Kapolei could extend their hours.

If enough of these "groupings" or "pairings" were found, then the combination of closings should make the difference. The main battle is that the union will step in and say something about "extra" driving for employees, but at least everyone keeps their job!

There are libraries in Hawaii?