Library hours await union OK
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer
A controversial reduction in library hours ordered in February as a way to save money still has not been implemented because negotiations with the two unions that represent library workers have not been completed.
Advertiser library photo
Library officials declined to say how much the delay will cost the library system, though they said the effect was reduced by a statewide hiring freeze subsequently ordered by Gov. Linda Lingle.
State librarian Virginia Lowell has said she chose to cut opening hours instead of cutting staff.
State librarian Virginia Lowell directed public libraries across the state to cut back to a five-day, 40-hour work week when the library budget was reduced by $500,000 as part of 5 percent statewide cuts directed by Lingle. The changes Lowell ordered were expected to take effect in March.
However, approval from the Hawai'i Government Employee Association and United Public Workers — required under union contracts — has not been forthcoming.
Library officials were to present a new implementation plan to the Board of Education today with an expected start date of May 18.
But even that is tentative.
The HGEA has a list of 37 items of concern, from the plan's impact on the public to how its members could get two consecutive days off, said Randy Perreira, the union's deputy executive director. He said the union has studied the plan library by library and submitted its concerns to library officials. It's a time-consuming process, but it's in their hands now, he said. The UPW did not return phone calls seeking comment.
• What: New library hours will be discussed at a meeting of the state Board of Education Committee on Public Libraries • When: 3 p.m. today • Where: Queen Lili'uokalani Building, 1390 Miller St., Room 404.
With the fiscal year ending June 30 — just seven weeks away — questions have emerged about how much money the cuts will save and whether they should be rescinded.
At a glance
"I have a hard time being objective because the state librarian doesn't want to listen to any suggestions," said Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th (Kahala, Hawai'i Kai). "It is my opinion that it was never a money issue."
Lawmakers restored some library money to the budget in hopes that fewer hours would be cut and library services unaffected.
Overall, lawmakers approved a $24.5 million state library budget for the coming fiscal year. That's $3.2 million more than last year but still a cut of about 2.5 percent.
"The Legislature's position has been that we don't want any cuts in education, and the library fits in with that," Slom said. "But we never had any guarantees that if we gave the library a certain amount of money the librarian would restore the cuts. She's holding the funds hostage.
"If there has to be dark days, the Senate asks the librarian to be more responsive to the community."
State library special assistant John Penebacker said money the Legislature reinstated at the close of the session last week won't affect the need for cuts this fiscal year, but may have some effect on next fiscal year when even further cuts were anticipated.
"There is a lot up in the air," Penebacker said. "March was the target date, but we were unable to do that because of the need to negotiate with the unions and then the hiring freeze issued by the governor realized some savings for us."
When Lowell ordered library hours cut, some lawmakers and the governor criticized her for failing to find a way to keep libraries open in the face of statewide budget cuts. There was even a call for Lowell's resignation.
Lowell said her decision to limit library hours was a means of avoiding layoffs.
Notices of the new hours began popping up in libraries around the state last weekend. For many libraries, the changes will mean no Sunday hours — one of the more popular days for families and students. Under the plan, only three libraries on O'ahu would be open on Sunday: Kane'ohe, Pearl City and Kaimuki.
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.
