Posted on: Wednesday, May 28, 2003

EDITORIAL
Library support can't ebb with Lowell gone

State Librarian Virginia Lowell came into office full of excitement and high expectations for our unusual, statewide, school-and-public library system.

She immediately ran into a stone wall of budget realities that forced her to struggle with diminished hours, a declining stock of books and a reduced staff. None of these conditions were of her making, but they were her responsibility,

Lowell struggled as best she could to deal with steady cuts in resources and increased demands for services. She pushed hard for creative ways to raise money for the system, and she stood firm against efforts to diminish the quality of public library services in response to diminished resources.

This position led to what was probably her greatest criticism after she refused to open the new Kapolei Public Library because lawmakers had not appropriated enough money to fill the library with books and workers.

Lowell's greatest legacy was her fierce belief that a first-class statewide library system was not simply a luxury but a right of the taxpaying citizens of this state.

Her uncompromising position on such issues earned Lowell a share of political critics, including some lawmakers and — at least at one point — even Gov. Linda Lingle, who disagreed with Lowell's plan to cut hours at community libraries in order to balance a reduced budget.

Lowell says she is retiring primarily to deal with family matters. But it is clear she was frustrated with what she perceived to be a growing lack of political support for her mission.

Hawai'i should wish her well and commit to her successor that our statewide library system will receive the support it deserves as a cornerstone of our cultural and educational legacy.