The state Board of Education approved a 10 percent budget cut for the Hawai'i State Public Libraries, which could result in curtailed hours of operation, reduced staff and fewer new books.

At its general business meeting Thursday, the BOE refused to send a 15 percent budget cut scenario to the governor for her consideration, saying the cut was too drastic and would result in the closure of up to six branches.

The budget reduction plan is in response to a request by Gov. Linda Lingle for all state agencies to come up with 10 percent, 15 percent and 20 percent budget cut scenarios for their 2009-11 discretionary budget because the state's slowing economy has eroded tax revenue.

The 10 percent budget cut plan, or about $2.6 million, freezes vacant positions and cuts the budget for new materials. But the plan keeps libraries open.

About $1.8 million of the cuts is to the library's book and material budget. That would mean book selectors at each library will be unable to purchase new titles to keep library collections current.

The library system's budget is down to about $28.3 million, a 6.9 percent reduction compared with 2007-08.

That's because the public library system recently reduced its operating budget by 4 percent — or $1.2 million — to meet previous budget restrictions imposed by the governor. Those reductions were on top of nearly $1 million in cuts made by lawmakers in the last legislative session.

Most of the budget savings would come from freezing vacant positions within the library system and reducing the use of temporary employees, library officials say.

But savings also would come from retirements that are expected over the next year or two.

About 204 employees, or about 35 percent, are 55 years or older, meaning retirements can happen at any time, according to the library system.