LEAN BUDGETS COMMON

Byrde Cestare, executive director of the Friends of the Library, which runs the annual book sale at McKinley High School and also organizes other events across the state to raise money, said libraries are underfunded in the Islands — but so are a host of other government agencies.

"We would all like to see libraries dramatically improved," said Cestare. "But I haven't seen the budgets for that."

Libraries in the Islands have long had to operate on lean budgets.

In 2003, then-state Librarian Virginia Lowell cut back hours at libraries and trimmed other services because of a funding shortage. The move drew criticism from lawmakers and the governor, who said the cutback could have been carried out without such drastic measures.

Over the last several years, the operating budget for the state library system has grown slightly. Libraries are getting about $35.2 million in fiscal year 2009 for day-to-day operations, compared to $34.8 million in fiscal year 2008 and $32 million in fiscal year 2007.

But experts point out that Hawai'i libraries aren't alone in dealing with tight resources.

Despite their unexpected success in the Internet age, libraries across the country are seeing cutbacks in hours and even closures. Portland, Maine, has proposed closing a branch that is seeing an 8 percent growth in circulation, the American Library Association said.

Libraries in Modesto, Calif., recently reduced the hours and days they're open in the wake of a 14 percent budget cut. In 2006, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library in Tennessee cut the days its branches are open because of a budget shortfall.

NO WI-FI ACCESS

Cestare, of Friends of the Library, said she expects libraries to endure even tougher hardships as state budgets tighten with the tough economic times. The organization donates about $200,000 to libraries annually. Most of that money goes to programs and activities.

"We really encourage staff to be looking to attract a crowd to their library," she said.

Cestare said libraries have to "keep step with the times."

And, for her, part of that means offering wireless Internet.

But there are no immediate plans to do that at state libraries.

Right now, the state is in the midst of upgrading an outdated computer network — a necessary step before it can add more public-access computers. It's unclear how long it will take, but it could hold up adding to the computer inventory for up to a year.

There are 495 Internet-ready computers available for public use at libraries in Hawai'i. That's down from 2002, when the state reported 688 computers available to library patrons. Burns said a majority — all but about 56 — of those 2002 computers were so-called "dumb terminals" whose best use was searching the library catalog.

The terminals could technically search the Internet, but produced text-only results.

The increase in the number of Internet-capable computers over the last several years in the Islands is thanks in part to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which launched a national program in 1997 to bring the Internet to libraries, especially those in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

By 2003, the foundation had spent $250 million on some 47,000 computers, as well as training and tech support. Hawai'i libraries got 137 computers from the foundation.

Burns pointed out that computers are very popular at libraries across the state. The number of Internet users at libraries nearly quadrupled from 2002 to 2006, from 119,000 to 436,000 in a year, according to state figures.

And, says the Hawai'i Library Association, free Internet access is one solid way to get people coming to libraries.

"Computers in the public libraries here are in high demand," said association vice president Becky Rathgeber. "And it's not only the kids, but a lot of adults corresponding with family and friends who have questions about how to e-mail or download."

UPTURN EXPECTED

At the state library on Thursday afternoon, nearly all the computer terminals near the information desk were taken. People were searching the Internet and looking for books in the library's online catalog. Several said they were happy with what the library had to offer, though a few did say they sometimes had to wait for up to an hour to find an open computer, especially in the afternoon and on weekends.

"The Hawai'i library system is very good," said Jodi Pollock, of Manoa. Pollock said she has Internet at home, but rarely gets a chance to use it after her kids are finished. At the library, she doesn't have to fight for time online.

Jim Kincaid, who lives on a sailboat at Waikiki Boat Harbor, said he keeps up with friends around the world by checking e-mail at libraries. He is also using the Internet to sell one of his boats.

There are 27 computers scattered in different sections at the state library, and Kincaid said that during non-peak hours "you can always find one that's open."

Burns pointed out not all the patron statistics for Hawai'i libraries are bad. From 2006 to 2007, state figures show, there was an increase in circulation, from 6.6 million to 6.8 million items.

And, he added, he's expecting an upturn in visits this year. Tough financial times, he said, always bring more people to libraries looking for something to do that's engaging — and free.