Republican Senator Fred Hemmings (D-25 Kailua-Waimanalo-Hawaii Kai) today issued the following statement:

"She's at it again. State Librarian Virginia Lowell once again is thwarting good efforts of the people of Waimanalo to support their children's library.

Two years ago, I inserted into the state budget a line item to restore a full-time children's librarian at the Waimanalo Public Library. Lowell took the money and only funded a part-time children's librarian position, while other libraries in wealthy neighborhoods enjoyed benefits of a full-time librarian.

Lowell's latest ploy is equally disingenuous and unfair. Recent budget cuts by Governor Linda Lingle has resulted in Lowell mandating that the state libraries only be open five days a week. Conforming to this mandate, the Waimanalo Elementary School library is open Monday through Friday.

The Friends of Waimanalo Library secured private funding to open the library on Saturdays. Through the generosity of Verizon Hawaii, the library is open to children for a half-day on Saturday at no cost to the state. I have participated in the children's reading program and have seen first hand the benefits of this program for the children of Waimanalo.

Lowell has passed down an edict that the library must close on Saturday to comply with the open five days a week mandate. This is the kind of lunacy that discourages people from helping libraries. The fact that it is open on Saturday at no cost to the state should be encouraged, not thwarted. Library officials will put up the lame excuse that the library has electrical costs. This may not be true. And, furthermore, why should the people of Waimanalo lose out on thousands of dollars from Verizon because of an alleged manini ($50) electric bill?"

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