THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	112
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the department of education to convene the library task force to examine issues relating to the provision of library services throughout the state.

     WHEREAS, librarians use the latest information technology to perform research, classify materials, and help students and library patrons seek information; and

     WHEREAS, librarians are required to have a master's degree in library science, which in Hawaii can be obtained at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's professionally accredited program; and

     WHEREAS, librarians work in public libraries; in a school library media center; in a college, university, or other academic library; or in special libraries, including legal, medical, and research libraries; and

     WHEREAS, the traditional concept of a library is being redefined from a place to access paper records or books to one that also houses the most advanced electronic resources, including the Internet, digital libraries, and remote access to a wide range of information sources; and

     WHEREAS, library services should be available to all people within Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, library jobs continue to be unfilled, and more openings are expected due to retirements and increasing demands for technologically capable professionals; and

     WHEREAS, more than two out of three librarians are aged forty-five or older according to the Department of Labor (2008); now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Education is requested to convene the Library Task Force to examine issues related to the provision of library services throughout the State, which shall be formed with membership from:

     (1)  The Hawaii State Public Library Systems;

     (2)  The Governor's Office; and

     (3)  Other parties who could assist in the deliberations, including business and community members; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Library Task Force is requested to study the following:

     (1)  Services presently being provided to the public;

     (2)  Where the services within the State are being provided;

     (3)  Where services are needed by the public;

     (4)  Defining the educational or certification requirements for various positions within the library system;

     (5)  Recommendations for needed action; and

     (6)  Plans for accomplishing the recommendations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Library Task Force is requested to submit a report to the Legislature no later than ninety days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Office of the

Governor, the Chairperson of the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Education, and the State Librarian.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title: 

DOE; Library Task Force