Supporters of Makiki Community Library are asking Gov. Linda Lingle to change her mind and release $1.7 million of the $4.5 million appropriated by the state Legislature for renovations at the aging facility.

"We in effect are asking her to match the city funds, not the full amount appropriated," said Ron Paik, president of the library's board of directors.

In August, Lingle toured the library and said it was not in the best interest of state taxpayers to release the money.

"The building that the library operates out of is city-owned and city-operated," she said in August. "The city, not the state, is responsible for the building's upkeep and any desired renovations or improvements."

Paik said although the library is on city property, residents who use the library are not just city residents or state residents, and the nearest public libraries are in McCully and downtown, which are too far for children to walk.

"The city provides space for other programs that they get funding (for) from state and other sources," he said. "Why not the library?"

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i, who has been a vocal supporter of the library for years, and state Rep. Brian Schatz, D-25th (Makiki, Tantalus), met with residents at the library yesterday and plan to formally ask Lingle to reconsider her position this week.

"There are other cases, Kahuku Hospital and various community centers, where the governor has initially indicated she didn't want to release money and eventually released all or a portion of it," Schatz said. "We've reworked the plans, compromised to cost less, and are extending an olive branch to the governor to see if she is willing to strike a compromise."

Russell Pang, a spokesman for Lingle, said the governor has not received any new request from the group to release money. Pang said the administration is working with the library's board to identify other funding sources.

The Makiki Community Library is not part of the state library system. It is the only community library financed by private donations and staffed by volunteers.

The library is in Makiki District Park, in what was the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association experiment station.

The building badly needs repairs, and the city has started on a separate, $1.7 million project to make basic improvements and comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. About $100,000 in federal funds have been secured for improvements.

The library will be closed for about a year during the construction.

The community library was started by Makiki residents in 1978, and its collection of about 15,000 books is mostly donated.

Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com.