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HAWAII PATRON LETTER #13: Forward of Letter from a patron in Hawaii, sent to Patricia Wallace, Chair, Hawaii Working Group (ALA Social Responsibility Round Table / Alternatives in Print Division). Emphasis added. Chris Eubanks c/o Kealoha Honolulu, HI 96819 Postmarked Jan. 23, 1997 Aloha Ms. Wallace: The Hawaii State Library System is a disgrace. I don't know where to start. The head of the library system, Bart Kane, has never run a public library--he was a children's librarian who was elevated to his present position by politics. When a state position opened to be Bart Kane's Assistant, our professional librarians were ecstatic--some professional would be selected to guide the libraries--someone who would know what was involved. Early on, Bart Kane was incompetent -- at least to the professionals and the public who know libraries (more than 60% of our state population have library cards). The person chosen for this position was a former University of Hawaii basketball player who had no library credentials, but was politically connected because the basketball team he played on in the l970's (yes, 1970's) had been successful. So now we have two who have no clue about public libraries. All the professional librarians who direct our many public libraries (23 on Oahu Island alone) have been in a state of shock ever since. And the libraries have been going down the toilet ever since. In 1994, Kane sent out a survey to the public in which he asked intrusive personal questions that most patrons were outraged to receive-- Not only were the personal questions outrageous. We who received the survey were told that if we didn't fill out and return the survey, our library cards would be cancelled. Last November, 1995, Kane put his new scheme to work re: Baker & Taylor. Until July, 1996, the entire Hawaii State Library System had no new books. About July, 1996, because of the outcry of patrons, Kane authorized spending $25,000 to purchase books at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at a local shopping mall. While the libraries were being stripped of any new books, Kane also slashed magazine subscriptions. He touted that we all could read the magazines off the computer. Now "everyone" is printing articles off the computer since one is only allowed 10 minutes at the computer....Now, the library system has asked us, the public, to pay 10c per page of what we, in essence, have to print. Regarding Baker & Taylor selecting Hawaii's books from North Carolina, it is a disaster. They have sent tons of Children's paperbacks (lucky if they last through 5 checkouts) and a lot of other childrens' books, none with library reinforced bindings. They have sent tons of bestsellers--way too many copies for our needs. They have sent every barbecue cook book published in the last year because I assume Baker & Taylor thinks we cook outside for every meal. They have also sent any anthology of Chinese, Japanese or Korean short stories, cookbooks, history, you name it. Every book published on golf in the last year has also been sent. B&T doesn't seem to realize that golfers golf. They don't come to the library to read about it. Our professional librarians have been threatened that if they speak out, they will be fired or [subject to] other sanctions. The public here is outraged at the destruction of our libraries, but Kane does what he wants because he is politically connected. In Hawaii, it doesn't matter if you are qualified or not. It's who you know or what you know to keep everyone silent about your incompetence or peccadilloes. Meanwhile, our state library system, which 5 short years ago had a super nationwide reputation, is now the laughing stock of the country. We do have some brave librarians who will speak out. Ms. Sylvia Mitchell of Liliha Public Library is one of those few. She and her friends demanded an audit by the State Legislature and the Legislature has granted her request. Meanwhile, we here in Hawaii sit on the pile of crap that B&T ships. They have even sent critic proofs that are not for sale or for distribution to the public at $20.94 per copy. I've counted at least 25 of these. Profit to B&T: $532.50. There have been trade paperbacks on the shelf since October. No one has checked them out. These are also @ $20.94 per copy. We in Hawaii continually ask how someone in North Carolina can choose books for us? They can't and our tax money is wasted. Sincerely, Chris Eubanks ****************************************************************************** ***************