Hawaii State Library

The Hawaiʻi State Library will temporarily close so construction crews can work on the skylight portion of the roof—located over the public entrance to the building—beginning Monday, January 13, 2025. The work is expected to take up to two weeks to complete.

The Hawaiʻi State Library schedule for January 13 through January 24 will be:

  • CLOSED – Monday, January 13 through January 17
  • OPEN – Saturday, January 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during a pause in construction
  • CLOSED – Monday, January 20 for observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • CLOSED – Tuesday, January 21 through Fri., January 24 for construction

The book drop will remain open and accessible during the temporary closure. In addition, borrowed items may be returned to any other public library. During this time, patrons are invited to select another location to pick up requested items. Those who already have items waiting should call (808) 586-3500 to arrange for the items to be picked up at another location.

During the temporary closure, library staff will be able to assist patrons through:

  • Electronic reference
  • Telephone reference – On Oahu, call (808) 586-3621; Neighbor Islands, call 1 (800) 390-3611

Passport services will not be available on the following dates:

  • Tuesday, January 14
  • Thursday, January 16
  • Tuesday, January 21
  • Thursday, January 23

The Hawaii State Library is an authorized Passport Acceptance Facility. Learn about passport processing hours and requirements.

The library’s Audiovisual Section, which houses a comprehensive DVD and CD collection, is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and again from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.  On Fridays, the AV Section is only open from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Address

478 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States
808-586-3500
Hawaii State Library

About

Welcome to the Hawaii State Library, the flagship of the Hawaii State Public Library System! With financial assistance from Andrew Carnegie, the present location was acquired and the existing building was built and opened on Feb. 1, 1913. We have a variety of special resources, most notably our Hawaii & Pacific Section, the Edna Allyn Room Children’s collection, and also the Federal Documents Section, which has been a Selective Federal Depository Library since 1929. We are located in the historic capitol district of Honolulu, next door to the only Royal Palace in the United States.

Upcoming events at this branch

Children’s Storytime
cartoon animals reading a book

Join us for Children’s Storytime on Saturdays at the Hawai’i State Library. Families can enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, and crafts. Best for ages 3-5; all ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. Program schedule is subject to change.

Children’s Storytime
cartoon animals reading a book

Join us for Children’s Storytime on Saturdays at the Hawai’i State Library. Families can enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, and crafts. Best for ages 3-5; all ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. Program schedule is subject to change.

Spanish Book Club
women's shadow on a sheet

Join us for the next meeting of our monthly Spanish book club! El Rincón Literario de Hawai’i will meet to share and discuss “Limpia” by Alia Trabucco Zerán. Limited copies of the book are available in the Hawaiʻi State Public Library system.

Ages 18 or older.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required.
All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events on the HSPLS Events Calendar.

 

First Saturday Game Play
Game Day image with chess pieces, dice, and 4 of a kind aces

Come play and meet new friends at Game Day in the Art, Music, & Recreation (AMR) Section on the 2nd floor of the Main Library.

We will have Chess, Checkers, Go, Yahtzee, occasionally Bingo, and other family-friendly board and card games available, some light instruction, and a little or a lot of encouragement!

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change. See a schedule of upcoming events on the HSPLS Events Calendar.

Children’s Storytime
cartoon animals reading a book

Join us for Children’s Storytime on Saturdays at the Hawai’i State Library. Families can enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, and crafts. Best for ages 3-5; all ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. Program schedule is subject to change.

Baby Storytime
seated parent with child on lap look at book. ABC, music notes, and stars surround them

Join us in the Edna Allyn Room for Children for lap-sit storytime! Bring your babies (0-23 months) and a blanket for stories, interactive rhymes, and songs in this 30-minute program.

All children must be accompanied by an adult. 

All programs are subject to change.  Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. 

Children’s Storytime
cartoon animals reading a book

Join us for Children’s Storytime on Saturdays at the Hawai’i State Library. Families can enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, and crafts. Best for ages 3-5; all ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. Program schedule is subject to change.

Kitty or Teddy? Feltie Craft Program

We will be hand sewing a small felt figure suitable for hanging.

All materials and tools will be supplied.

To reserve a seat, call 586-3520, or sign up at the Art, Music & Recreation Reference Desk.

Walk-ins welcome until the tables are full.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. All programs are subject to change. 

 

Baby Storytime
seated parent with child on lap look at book. ABC, music notes, and stars surround them

Join us in the Edna Allyn Room for Children for lap-sit storytime! Bring your babies (0-23 months) and a blanket for stories, interactive rhymes, and songs in this 30-minute program.

All children must be accompanied by an adult. 

All programs are subject to change.  Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. 

Children’s Storytime
cartoon animals reading a book

Join us for Children’s Storytime on Saturdays at the Hawai’i State Library. Families can enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, and crafts. Best for ages 3-5; all ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service or activity should contact library staff as soon as possible. Advance requests 48 hours or more before the event are encouraged, but not required. Program schedule is subject to change.

Hours

Date Time
Monday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday CLOSED - CLOSED

Access

Parking spots 0
Parking fee Metered
Handicap parking spots 2
Book drop off Yes
Restrooms Yes

Services

Computers 54
Magazines 208
Newspapers 24
WiFi Yes
Friends' book store Yes
Free computer classes Yes
Meeting rooms No
Photocopying Yes
Test proctoring services No

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ALERT #1 | The Hawaii State Library in Downtown Honolulu will be closed to the public from January 13 through January 24, 2025.

Click here for more details

ALERT #2 | In observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, all public libraries will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025. Libraries that are normally closed on Mondays will be closed to observe the holiday on Tuesday, January 21st.