The Hawaii State Public Library System told the House Committee on Finance that its branches are aging, that public libraries increasingly serve as community safety and technology hubs, and that the system needs recurring funding for security and maintenance while multiple capital projects proceed.

State Librarian Stacy Aldridge said patron and staff surveys point to urgent needs for safety, access to computers and Wi‑Fi, and robust collections. HSPLS asked the committee to add about $1.2 million to the base budget to maintain a statewide security guard contract that now covers more than 40 library branches. The system said it procured a new security contractor last year under the state price list and that sustaining the service requires additional base funding.

Why it matters: The library system manages 51 branches and two administrative offices, many more than six decades old, and argued that maintenance and security funding keeps buildings safe and keeps facilities available for public services including digital access and community programming.

Key requests and details
- Security guard contract: HSPLS requested an increase (about $1,200,000) to keep a 43‑branch security contract in place.
- Temporary locations: The system requested $484,000 split across FY26 and FY27 to lease temporary spaces for Wahiawa, Pearl City and Makawao branches while those buildings undergo renovation; staff noted a table error in the materials and provided a corrected figure in committee testimony.
- Repair and maintenance (R&M): HSPLS requested raising the R&M base to $1,500,000 to meet lifecycle repairs and elevator and other major work across the branch network.
- Automated handling: HSPLS asked for funds ($500,000 FY26 / $250,000 FY27) to buy an automated materials handling and sorting system to speed transfers among branches, reduce manual sorting and address delivery and staffing constraints; the system would begin on Oahu where the largest efficiencies can be realized.
- CIP requests: The library system stressed the value of lump‑sum CIP funds and reported about 50 active projects in planning or design across the islands; system leaders said lump‑sum appropriations let them finish projects whose construction bids exceed line‑item estimates and also start new projects more quickly.

Local priorities and timing
HSPLS said about 10 projects statewide are expected to begin construction in 2025, including a consolidated Mountain View library, expansions at Pearl City and Makawao, and a shade structure in Nanakuli. The system requested lump‑sum CIP lines ($25,000,000 each FY26 and FY27) to sustain a continuous pipeline of renovations and new builds.

Ending note: HSPLS framed the requests as necessary to preserve public access to library services and to protect long‑deferred maintenance needs; the committee did not take votes during the informational hearing.