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The plan is to move all the puna local libraries off school grounds (so strangers aren't wandering around campus, and probably other reasons) and centralize them in one place. That would mean the libraries in Pahoa, Keaau, and Mountain View would close.
Hopefully, the new library could be a gathering place that could host community meetings and events as well as having books, wifi, and the usual library stuff.
Sadly, one of the location options is in Pahoa; convenient for lower puna, a disaster for upper puna. I'm supporting the Keaau location, on the land donated for this purpose by Shipman.
quote:
Originally posted by leilaniguy
Somebody please explain what is wrong with the existing library and why we need a new one.
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During the 2014 legislative session, state lawmakers appropriated $800,000 for a feasibility study and the initial phases of the project, which will complement the three libraries currently serving Puna residents in Pahoa, Keaau and Mountain View.
About a year ago, the governor released about $250,000 of the $800,000 to fund a consultant’s feasibility study for the regional library. Negotiations with Honolulu-based consultant Group 70, which will conduct the study, appear to be nearing completion.
Ruderman estimates the process of building the library will take another seven to eight years.
The $800,000 is just for the feasibility study. Yes, another study. Never saw a place were there was such a hunger for studies, very studious people. Unfortunately, the people never keep track of all the studies, or how the money got spent. $250,000 was released last year, so that money is gone. Now, $550,000 remains for the rest of the study. Remember, this is not for architectural planning, drawing and engineering. That comes much later, pending approval of the study. Wonder how much the architectural contract will be, probably at least a couple million. At least it gives several Oahu firms more jobs where no final output is expected.
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The $800,000 is just for the feasibility study.
$800,000 divided by an average cost of $20 per book, is 40,000 books.
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Ted, the conventional wisdom among us cynics is that the Hawaii state government's tendency to engage in expensive studies on relatively simple proposals enriches some well-connected research organizations without really changing anyone's mind. It's also another way to draw out the process as long as possible and keep bevies of bureaucrats shuffling paper ad infinitum.
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government's tendency to engage in expensive studies on relatively simple proposals
Besides a mechanism for giving away money to the well-connected, endless "studies" provide a convenient smokescreen: nobody can say "nothing is being done", because the issue is "being studied".
At least it gives several Oahu firms more jobs where no final output is expected.
Many of these "consultants" come from the mainland.
The $800,000 is just for the feasibility study
How many "community centers" could be built with $800K? I'm guessing at least one, even with permit overhead and ADA compliance.
Again: a big expensive building means hiring more County maintenance workers; the necessary climate control for book storage means a big HELCO bill. Future generations will simply have to pay higher taxes to cover these costs...
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Leilaniguy: Somebody please explain what is wrong with the existing library and why we need a new one.
When the Pahoa Library was built in 1967, all of Puna had 6-7000 residents. Due to the population influx, Pahoa Library alone has just under 6,000 active library card users. It circulates over 8000 items each month ( mostly books, but CDs and DVDs also ), more than Keaau and Mt. View combined. There is not enough parking, not enough seats, not enough computers. ( There is too much noise, and the stench of old plumbing in the men’s room is beyond description.)
Lee MS: Hopefully, the new library could be a gathering place that could host community meetings and events as well as having books, wifi, and the usual library stuff.
Yes, and new library stuff such as maker spaces, computer labs, business development centers, College of Ag satellite spaces, adult literacy classes, etc, etc, etc.
Lee MS: Sadly, one of the location options is in Pahoa; convenient for lower puna, a disaster for upper puna. I'm supporting the Keaau location, on the land donated for this purpose by Shipman.
One of the main points that came out of the 3 meetings held about the new library was that Oahu’s idea of one big centralized building is not good for Puna. There is a large community-based push for 2 smaller locations, one between Pahoa and HPP, the other between Kea’au and Kam School.
Chunkster: Just playing devil's advocate here, but it seems like traditional libraries could be on the way to becoming obsolete. Providing widely available high speed internet would put a lot more information at people's fingertips without having to drive.
Broadband is great for some things – finding bits of information quickly, work, streaming, posting. But it is not the be-all and end-all for reading and information. Not everything important is digitized. Not every learning experience works well on a device. Parents of young children check out tall stacks of books at a time. Could you afford to buy that many e-books a week ?
Kalakoa: a big expensive building means hiring more County maintenance workers; the necessary climate control for book storage means a big HELCO bill. Future generations will simply have to pay higher taxes to cover these costs...
Hawaii libraries are funded by state taxes, not county property taxes ( the only reason Puna has any libraries at all ). The new NoKohala library won awards for being ‘green’ – passive lighting via sky lights, solar panels and a wind mill for power generation, a water storage tank for bathrooms and irrigation. Any new library in Puna would take advantage of changing technology.
edit to add last response to kalakoa
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Hawaii libraries are funded by state taxes, not county property taxes
A distinction without a difference.
Any new library in Puna would take advantage of changing technology.
I will be very impressed if that actually works out.
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