After closing for a year because of mold that destroyed $60,000 worth of its collection, the Hau’ula Elementary School library reopened at the start of the school year July 31.
Approximately 4,000 of the school’s 12,000 books had to be discarded, while salvageable materials were sent to a Brigham Young University/Hawaii facility in nearby La’ie for freeze-drying. The library has since added three dehumidifiers and will get a new air conditioner to help protect the rest of the collection, the Honolulu Advertiser reported August 8.
Library Director Natalie Zane said the problem got worse when the school shut off air conditioning at night and on weekends in an attempt to reduce energy costs. “So the question becomes, ‘How much money did they really save by turning off the electricity?’” she said.
To begin restocking its decimated collection, the library has called for donations and applied for a grant for reference books. So far, about 1,000 used and new books have been donated. “We appreciate any support we can get,” Principal Bradley Odagiri said, adding that money might be better because it allows the librarian to choose books that meet curriculum needs.
Since Hau’ula’s mold problem was reported, more than 12 other libraries have complained about similar conditions.
Posted August 19, 2002.