Capsun's Corner – by Capsun M. Poe

Sorry for the late posting, but it’s only 30 minutes late.

Executive Summary:  Library budget cuts; Fond memories of libraries; Supporting the library; Why we shouldn’t cut now.

Library Budget Cuts

Seen on a sign at the Kaimuki Public Library:

Worried about the pending budget cuts at your library?  Cutbacks on: Hours, Books and Library Materials, Personnel. Voice your concerns, let Gov. Lingle know how you feel.
Governor.Lingle@hawaii.gov or 586-0034, fax 586-0006

Fond Memories of Libraries

Yes, I am very worried and concerned.   I have always loved libraries and have fond memories of them:

• Even before I was in Kindergarten, my mom took me to the library regularly.
• My first job was at the Kealakekua Public Library.
• In college, I helped expand the DVD collection at the Wong AV Center at Sinclair Library through ASUH student government money, a tradition that continues to this day.
• In grad school, I loved poring over and randomly selecting books from the shelves of Hamilton Library.  One memorable moment was being able to request Twilight in the Forbidden City (the book Bernardo Bertolucci’s Oscar-winning masterpiece, The Last Emperor, my favorite movie, is based on) from the UCLA library at no charge.

Some additional notes about what you can do at your public library:

• Where else can you get music for free – legally?
• Where else can you rent a movie for just $1 (for 7 days!)?  Note if you rent a movie, HSPLS gets to keep those funds; late fees go to the General Fund, so those don’t directly benefit them.

And let’s not forget those librarians who were unsung heroes and protected us from Big Brother.

Supporting the Library

So I guess it’s not a surprise that I’ve been both an active patron and supporter of the Hawaii State Public Library System.   Here are some ways I support the library:

• I visit and use their services.
• I take pens, pencils, and even printer paper to donate whenever I go, usually to the Manoa Public Library.
• I also buy used books, CDs, and DVDs from the Friends of the Library to support library programs like author meet and greets, Read to Me, and more.
• And this year, I checked off the box to donate $2 on my Hawaii state tax return (as did anyone whose taxes I prepared).   Please look for the checkbox on your tax returns next year.

It’s just my way of helping out.  Yes, I know libraries receive government funding, but it’s not nearly enough.  Haven’t you ever seen how librarians will take used paper and reuse it as scratch paper for patrons?  And, our public libraries still haven’t recovered from the huge cuts in service that were implemented in 1995 and 2003.

Why We Shouldn’t Cut Now

In these tough economic times, now is not the time to be cutting back on library services.  If anything, now is the time to increase such services.  I think my fellow residents and I are far more likely to visit the library to get our book, music, magazine, air conditioning, and internet needs met.  My fiancée (the Kindergarten teacher) uses it as a weekly resource to get books to share with her students.  Libraries help people young and old, from all walks of life, of all ethnic backgrounds have a love affair with literacy and learning.  They can succeed in school and in life – quite important considering we now live in an information economy and society.

If you haven’t visited your library in a while, go pay them a visit.  You may be pleasantly surprised at what you’ll find.

Mahalo!

Tags: kaimuki public library, kealakekua public library, libraries, library, manoa public library