Bill Text: HI SB612 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Public Libraries; Task Force

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-12-01 - Carried over to 2012 Regular Session. [SB612 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-SB612-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	612
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to libraries.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that an informed and engaged citizenry is the foundation of a representative democracy.  Since Benjamin Franklin formed the first public library as a part of the founding of the United States of America, public libraries, which are open to all people regardless of age, race, gender, social condition, and religion, have since that time been a major component in offering the public all aspects of the informational spectrum.  The Hawaii state library system has been mandated to supply the people of Hawaii with access to information, educational, and recreational material, while preserving the right to privacy.

     The legislature further finds that the Hawaii state 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.  In addition, budgetary constraints have resulted in the loss of approximately seventy-eight positions out of a total of five hundred eighty-four positions over the past two years, and there may be further reductions in resources in the near future.  An informed citizenry relies on adequate resources being provided to the people of Hawaii through libraries, bookmobiles, internet access, and information services.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a task force to assist the public libraries in determining the library services needed in underserved communities and the resources necessary to provide these services.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established the library services task force that shall be placed within the department of education for administrative purposes.

     (b)  The task force shall include the following:

     (1)  The state librarian;

     (2)  A librarian from each island with public library facilities;

     (3)  The chief information officer for the University of Hawaii system;

     (4)  A member of the senate, appointed by the senate president;

     (5)  A member of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house; and

     (6)  A community representative from each island with public library facilities

     The members of the task force shall select a chairperson from among its members.

     The members of the task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their official duties.

     (c)  The task force shall assist the state librarian in determining:

     (1)  The library services needed in underserved communities, including facilities, collections, and other programs and services;

     (2)  Current staffing and hours of operation, and the resources required to develop and implement current and increased library services; and

     (3)  Short-term and long-range recommendations for meeting the public library needs of underserved communities.

     (d)  The task force shall meet at times and locations to be determined by its members; provided that the task force may request the assistance of the legislative reference bureau in the performance of its duties.

     (e)  The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor, the legislature, and the board of education no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2012.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Public Libraries; Task Force

 

Description:

Establishes a task force to assist the state librarian in determining the library services needed in underserved communities and the resources necessary to provide these services; requires report to 2012 legislature.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.