Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.R. No. 126 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the Board of Education, Department of Education, and the Hawaii State Public Library System develop a strategic plan to separate public and school libraries in a manner that will ultimately enhance levels of service for the community and students.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Public Library System. The Department of Education submitted testimony that supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee finds that public and school libraries ensure that access to information is readily available in many rural areas. Your Committee also finds that there are concerns regarding the use of school libraries by the general public during school hours. These concerns include:

Your Committee further finds that the Board of Education, Department of Education, and the Hawaii State Public Library System recently agreed that combined public and school libraries should be separated.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 126 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.