University of Hawaii faculty members are calling it a crisis -- while library administrators say it is a wise way to balance the budget.

At the center of the controversy --- new books for Hamilton library.

A projected a 1.5 million dollar budget shortfall has forced library administrators to make cuts --- including suspension of an approval plan to purchase new books.

"It's a crisis," says Professor Kathy Ferguson.

A crisis professors believe started three weeks ago when library administrators suspended an approval plan to purchase new books for the next six months.

"So we've lost over 6,000 books this spring. I'm very much afraid that we may need to have similar cut-backs next year --- we're just not keeping up with inflation," says Karen Peacock, Library Senate Chair.

"This is a short-term measure that being taken basically so we'll live within our budget. this is something i think anyone who runs their own finances at home with their family will understand," says Robert Schwarzwalder, Assistant University Librarian.

But many are finding it hard to digest.

"I'm absolutely appalled at the idea that somehow we're going to stop ordering books. I'd rather live in tents at the University and have books," says political science Professor Michael Shapiro.

"We're the center of graduate and under-graduate education in the state and we're not going to buy books --- it's ludicrous," says Professor Ferguson.

"That's a shame that's kind of cheating the students," says Anne Yamanoha, UH student.

"Shouldn't there be alternative -- I mean another area that they could cut back their resources," says Yamanoha.

Professors say this decision will hurt.

"Knowledge doesn't wait," says Professor Ferguson.

"Totally unacceptable --- six months we fall behind," says Professor Shapiro.

"Their concerned for both their research and their students need and they and their students are the audience that we serve," says Karen Peacock.

But the Assistant University librarian says book purchasing has not come to a halt.

"It's very inaccurate to say we're not buying books --- we are," says Schwarzwalder.

"We have some new books coming in partly through gifts and partly from some small funds that we still have access too but the major source of books coming into the library has been put on hold for six months," says Karen Peacock.

"Whatever kind of spin that they try to put on it --- this is disastrous," says Professor Shapiro.

And perhaps a sign of the future.

"I mean is somebody out there saying you guys have a lot of books you don't need anymore I mean what are they thinking," says Professor Ferguson.

"This is a textual community that's what a university is -- a textual community -- therefore we need texts guys --- we need texts," says Professor Shapiro.

A public forum will be held next week on campus to discuss the library's budget.