MEDIA RELEASE

Thanks to the rapid response and generous support of library users across the state, a portion of the monetary donations raised through the “Keep Your Library Open!” fund-raising campaign will be used to keep Mountain View Public and School Library open during the month of October. This Big Island Library was previously scheduled to be temporarily closed from October 2-22, 2009 because of funding and staffing shortages, but library staffs at Mountain View and in HSPLS support offices have been able to reverse closure plans and schedules.

“We are happy to announce that proceeds collected through the “Keep Your Library Open!” program, and the Friends of the Library of Hawaii’s complimentary fundraising campaign, “Keep the Doors Open!,” will be used to support the operational expenses to keep Mountain View Public and School Library open throughout the month of October,” said State Librarian Richard Burns. “We are very grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support shown by our library patrons since the launch of the fundraising campaigns three weeks ago, and we expect that the funds raised will be able to help all our public libraries.”

The Hawaii State Public Library System’s “Keep Your Library Open!” and the Friends of the Library of Hawaii’s “Keep the Doors Open!” campaign, launched on September 2nd have combined to generate more than $100,000 in monetary donations to date. The fund-raising campaigns were initiated in response to unprecedented budget restrictions that threaten to close public libraries during the current economic crisis.

While the two donation campaigns are off to a good start, the need for community support in raising funds for Hawaii’s public libraries continues. Patrons are invited to make a tax-deductible monetary donation to their local library. The contributions will be used to support the operations of the Hawaii State Public Library System such as purchasing library materials, providing funds for core services and programs, and for other operational expenses. Donations are accepted at all public libraries, and checks may be made payable to the Hawaii State Public Library System, designating the local library on the check memo line. Donations may also be mailed to: Office of the State Librarian, Administrative Services Branch, 44 Merchant Street, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Collection totals are posted on the library system’s website, www.librarieshawaii.org, and the Friends of the Library of Hawaii’s “Keep the Doors Open” campaign totals can be viewed on the Friends’ website at www.friendsofthelibraryofhawaii.org, where credit card donations will be accepted.