THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	85
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the State Librarian to establish a Task Force to identify the library services needed in underserved communities.

     WHEREAS, an informed citizenry is the foundation of democracy; and

     WHEREAS, since Benjamin Franklin formed the first public library as a part of the contribution of the founding fathers, public libraries, which are open to all people regardless of age, race, gender, social condition, and religion, have been a major component of informing the public in all aspects of the informational spectrum; and

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Public Library System has been mandated to supply all the people of Hawaii with access to information, educational, and recreational material, while preserving the right to privacy; and

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Public Library System has been heavily impacted by both an increase in population in underserved areas and the heavy expenses of updating and supporting current informational technologies; and

     WHEREAS, budgetary constraints have forced workforce reductions of approximately seventy-eight positions out of approximately five hundred eighty-four positions, and libraries in Hawaii are now facing additional budget cuts; and

     WHEREAS, adequate resources to correct this situation to supply the people of Hawaii with the library and information services necessary to maintain the basic standard of service are not available; and

     WHEREAS, this creates an inequity of service to the people of the State; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the House of Representatives concurring, that the State Librarian, is requested to establish a Task Force composed of representatives of public and private organizations, philanthropic and commercial organizations, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and communities both cultural and geographic, from all islands; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to identify the library services needed in underserved communities, including resources that can be developed, and facilities, collections, staffing, hours of operation, and services that will be needed; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall become a permanent resource to assist the State Librarian in developing and updating the Hawaii State Public Library System long-range master plan; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Board of Education and the State Librarian.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Public Libraries; Task Force; Underserved Communities