Kane Gets Canned in Hawaii

Staff -- School Library Journal, 4/1/1998

Bart Kane, the Hawaiian state librarian best known for his unsuccessful attempt to outsource public library materials selection to book wholesaler Baker & Taylor, will not see his contract renewed when it runs out June 30. The state Board of Education, the agency that oversees public libraries, voted seven to six on February 20 to oust Kane.

A state audit of Hawaii's entire public library system, which Kane heads, found that he had disregarded employees, managed contracts poorly, and rushed reforms, according to the February 21 Honolulu Advertiser. "While his vision may have had potential, his management of the reform resulted in harm and confusion to the libraries," the audit concluded. Kane did not return a call for comment.