School librarians are an asset
Last week, during its annual meeting, the directors of Friends of the Libraries, Kona were dismayed to hear that the position of librarian at Konawaena High School is at risk of being cut to half time. We recognize the negative impact to a school when positions are reduced because of budget cuts, and are fully aware that the lost positions are rarely reinstated (remember Holualoa library?).
The assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education noted: “Quality of library use is related to children’s efficacy in reading.” She concluded that “libraries are vital for children’s achievement and developing informational needs. Children need libraries in their classrooms, schools and communities. But all children will not use the materials to their fullest extent without supportive adults and librarians.”
Many schools have to make tough choices about how to spend dwindling budgets, but it does not make sense for a library to become a place where books are stored, but not available, where a person without the requisite training demanded by the state simply opens the doors a few hours a day. Evidence suggests that schools with libraries graduate better prepared and informed students. Our common goal in this community and this country should be to produce educated students. When a librarian such as Woody Plaut has managed to bring in huge grants for his school, and has a good rapport with the students and creates learning opportunities every time they enter his domain, this is a good thing and should be supported, not cut. The Department of Education and the school should make every effort to keep a full-time librarian at Konawaena High School.
FOLK Board of Directors, Kona
Alice Facer, Secretary
Why not more anchors in Keauhou Bay?
Keauhou Bay belongs to us all. I don’t have a stake in the revisions, just one comment and that is that the bow to stern mooring is a much more efficient use of precious space. The existing single point moorings allow each boat a swing radius seven times the depth of the water.
I do question why they didn’t think of one anchor for the stern of one boat and the bow of the next. Eighteen anchors instead of 32, but it’s the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Ken Obenski
Kaohe