Libraries statewide were closed today for the first of 15 furlough days through May.

At the Hawaii State Library on King Street, library patrons were met with locked doors and small signs in the windows with the dates for the furloughs.

Some said the closures were frustrating, but others said they understand it given the state’s budget crunch.

“It’s an inconvenience ... but what are you going to do?” said Kimo Kimura, 54. “It can’t be helped until our state gets their financial planning in shape.”

Roman Maziarz, 52, of Kaimuki, said the furloughs of state library workers are an indication of “misplaced priorities.”

“How sad,” he said.

Libraries will also be closed for 15 furlough days next fiscal year. The furloughs are equivalent to about an 8 percent pay cut for library workers over a two-year contract.