Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2694 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to create a full-time library assistant III position and convert an existing library assistant III position from part-time to full-time at Waiakea Elementary School.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the measure from two librarians from Waiakea Elementary School.

Your Committee finds that these positions will allow Waiakea High School students to borrow books weekly, instead of only bi-weekly as is the situation at present. For many students, the school library is the only library they can get to. It is a shame and contrary to the goal of supporting education to limit students' access to knowledge due to an unnecessary shortage of library personnel.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2694 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.