REPORT TITLE:
Public Libraries


DESCRIPTION:
Dedicates an unspecified per cent of state revenues for public
libraries.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           2418
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that, secured by the state
 
 2 constitution, the public library system serves all segments of
 
 3 the population, residents and visitors alike, young and old, rich
 
 4 and poor.  Public libraries are located in diverse areas across
 
 5 the State and serve as the main source of information on
 
 6 government, current events, and technology for many communities.
 
 7 Public libraries enable people to become active participants in
 
 8 their community through participation in government, education,
 
 9 and business.
 
10      The legislature further finds that through their resources
 
11 and various programs, public libraries increase the literacy of
 
12 the population, not just in terms of reading ability, but in all
 
13 forms, including computer literacy.  For many families, the
 
14 public library is the only means of access to the growing
 
15 opportunities available on the Internet.  As the local, state,
 
16 and world economies become increasingly focused on computers and
 
17 electronic commerce, the residents of Hawaii must acquire the
 
18 technological skills necessary to succeed.  Our public libraries
 
19 can provide both the access to this equipment as well as training
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           2418
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 on how to find information electronically.  A population educated
 
 2 about global networks and able to access information across the
 
 3 globe is crucial to Hawaii's future economy.
 
 4      The legislature believes that in order to support this
 
 5 mission, the public library system must be adequately funded.
 
 6 Additional funds for the public library system will enable the
 
 7 libraries to serve the population of Hawaii more efficiently,
 
 8 thereby assisting our workforce in gathering the skills necessary
 
 9 to succeed in the new economy.
 
10      The purpose of this Act is to dedicate a percentage of state
 
11 revenues to support the public library system with the resources
 
12 to fulfill its vision of educating the citizenry and workforce in
 
13 the new millennium.
 
14      SECTION 2.  Chapter 37, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended
 
15 by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to
 
16 read as follows:
 
17      "§37-     Public library system; appropriation.  The
 
18 proposed budget shall contain an appropriation equal to      per
 
19 cent of the total state revenues, which sum shall be available
 
20 for allocation by the department of education to meet the costs
 
21 of providing public libraries with resources necessary to educate
 
22 the citizenry of Hawaii."
 
23      SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           2418
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2000.
 
 2 
 
 3                       INTRODUCED BY:  ___________________________