Derby: I understand the budget has hit libraries hard. How much of a cut is needed, and aren't there options to closures?

Richard Burns: Our total budget cut this fiscal year is about $5.7 million, which amounts to about a 20 percent budget reduction. Alternatives being considered are freezing all current vacancies, reducing all temporary and student hires, and we are currently negotiating a furlough plan with the public employee unions.

Stewart: If the BOE tells us not to close any libraries, HSPLS will need sufficient personnel to man the branches. If the book and equipment budget is at minimum, and layoffs are off the table, what else can you do besides furlough staff to achieve the budget target?

If staff furloughs are used, how will the library hours be affected?

If HRS Vol. 2 Chap 46.115(e)1 prevents HSPLS from using volunteers to displace paid employees, how else can volunteers be useful to their branch libraries?

For those who want to help HSPLS, what are the best ways to do this?

How has the Friends of the Library of Hawai'i helped HSPLS during this tough economic time?

Burns: We are currently freezing all vacant positions, we are reducing temporary and student hires, and we will be negotiating a furlough plan with the public employee unions.

If staff furloughs are used, all public service days and hours will be reduced and changed. The new schedule will be part of the negotiations with the public employee unions.

We had thousands of volunteers contributing more than 50,000 hours of help in libraries across the state. These volunteers assisted with hosting programs, shelving library materials, creating displays and flower arrangements, light cleaning, etc.

We encourage interested volunteers to inquire at their local library or to contact the Friends of the Library of Hawai'i at 536-4174.

The public can best assist the library system in these ways: joining a local friends group that supports the library; donating new, quality materials to the library; any size of monetary donations (checks may be made payable to the branch or to the Hawai'i State Public Library System in care of the Office of the State Librarian, 44 Merchant St., Honolulu, HI 96813); and advocating for the library system with your local legislators and the governor.

The Friends of the Library of Hawai'i provide valuable funding support through programs (such as the recent Summer Reading Programs), collections and services throughout the state.

They work with chapter friends affiliates to help meet the needs of both libraries and their communities. Over the next two years, the Friends will assist in providing matching funds for the Opportunity Online grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which will bring more than 300 computers, software, staff training, and enhanced Internet access at 43 branches.

Chicken Grease: I am a voracious reader. I buy books, but I utilize the public library system a bunch!

Where does public usage of the library (borrowing books, etc., other services that the library performs) stand in comparison to other public services/goods that the taxpayer uses?

Burns: Thank you for your support! Especially during these difficult economic times, we are seeing library use increase as people turn to us for the educational, government, and employment information they need during this crisis. We agree that the library system provides essential materials, programs and services for the people of Hawai'i, and wholeheartedly agree that libraries should be the last thing cut.

Sam: Can the libraries stay open for only half days, instead of shutting them down completely?

Burns: Almost all of our HSPLS employees are in full-time positions. Scheduling half-day openings will not create enough savings to meet our budget reduction.

We are developing a plan to present to the BOE that does not include closing any of our libraries.

Paul: What's your time frame for coming up with a plan for the BOE, and what will be your alternatives to closure?

Burns: We are scheduled to make a presentation to the BOE's Committee on Budget and Fiscal Accountability on Aug. 26.

Alternatives to library closures include possible furloughs, reduced public service days and hours, and reduced temporary and student hires. These actions will definitely impact public services.

Libraryfan: Under the initial plan with the library closures, public library staff were going to be furloughed for one day a month as a part of the budget reductions.

Are you looking at longer furloughs comparable to what the governor is requesting of other state departments? And is the economic impact of longer furloughs on library employees being taken into consideration?

Burns: Yes, we are looking at furloughs less than the governor's state plan, but these have to be negotiated with the public employee unions.

The economic impact and salary reductions for our employees are major considerations, as is providing the best possible public service for our patrons. Balancing these two factors is a difficult challenge and will need to be addressed as we develop our budget reduction plan.