Bill Text: HI HCR164 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Public Libraries; Task Force; Underserved Communities

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-17 - (H) Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 40 [HCR164 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2011-HCR164-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	164
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THAT A TASK FORCE BE ESTABLISHED TO IDENTIFY THE LIBRARY SERVICES NEEDED IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND SEEK COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO OFFSET THE LOSS OF FUNDING TO LIBRARIES.

 

 

 

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

 

     WHEREAS, since Benjamin Franklin formed the first public library, these institutions, which are open to all people regardless of age, race, gender, social condition, or religion, have had a major role in providing public access to a wide spectrum of information; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Public Library System has a responsibility to provide the people of Hawaii with access to information and educational and recreational materials, while preserving the right to privacy; and

 

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

 

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

 

     WHEREAS, the State lacks adequate resources to maintain the basic standard of library and information services for underserved communities; and

 

     WHEREAS, this creates an inequity in library services for the people of Hawaii; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the Senate 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 cultural and geographic communities from all islands of the State; 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 to provide or contribute to the acquisition, use, provision, or augmentation of necessary facilities, collections, staffing, hours of operation, and services; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to seek community sources of funding to offset the loss of funding from the Department of Education to community and school libraries; 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 2012; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to serve as a permanent, ad hoc 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 State Librarian, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and the Superintendent of Education.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Public Libraries; Task Force; Underserved Communities