The BOE, which oversees the library system, is likely to vote on the proposal at its July 16 meeting, but library officials sat through several minutes of criticism from some board members who questioned why Neighbor Islands were bearing the burden.

"They are going to close Hana down over my dead body," said Mary Cochran, Maui board member.

Cochran said Hana residents will have to drive more than two hours to Makawao or to Kahului to have access to a library.

"You might as well say, 'spit on you, community,' " Cochran said.

The list of potential library closures was determined after "extensive analysis" of staffing vacancies, low circulation and usage, and geographical proximity to neighboring branches, among other factors, Burns said.

Also included in the budget reduction plan is about $1.3 million in labor savings, which will need to be negotiated with labor unions. The library system also plans to save some $2.2 million through the elimination of 67 vacant positions.

"This is the most rational, most reasonable plan we were able to develop," Burns said.

"We simply cannot continue to operate in the same way we have been for the past several years due to these significant budget reductions," he told board members.

The library has a total budget of just about $30 million.

Three of the libraries to be closed are on school campuses, and Burns said the library system will allow the schools to retain age-appropriate materials and books for student use.

However, schools will have to fund the staff for their library using their own budgets.