Hawaii Senate Bill SB274

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/23
• Refer: 1/23/23

Caption

Relating To The Ewa Beach Public And School Library.

Impact

If enacted, this bill will directly impact the structure of the library's governance and funding. By moving the library under the Department of Education, all rights and responsibilities associated with its management will shift from the state public library system to the school system. This could lead to changes in how the library functions, its budget allocation, and its operational hours, potentially increasing accessibility for students during school hours.

Summary

Senate Bill 274, introduced in the State of Hawaii, seeks to transfer the Ewa Beach public and school library from the state public library system to James Campbell High School. The intent behind this legislative act is to enhance the operational effectiveness of the library, making it more accessible for students attending nearby educational institutions, including James Campbell High School, Pohakea Elementary School, and Ilima Intermediate School. As it stands, the limited operational hours have presented challenges for student engagement with the library's resources, which the bill aims to address.

Contention

While there have been discussions surrounding the bill, the primary points of contention primarily revolve around the implications of transferring the library's management from the state public library system. Advocates for the transfer argue that this move will encourage better integration of library resources into the educational framework of James Campbell High School, while opponents may raise concerns about the potential loss of broader community access or the dilution of services that the state public library system offers.