Hawaii State Library

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

Blind Date with a Library Book for Teens
book wrapped in brown butcher paper to hide the cover

Happening June 15 to August 3, 2024!

Calling all teens in Grades 7-12! Looking for a fun (BOOK) date this summer? Try a Blind Date With a Library Book from June 15 to August 3, 2024! Visit the Teen Section at the Hawaii State Library in downtown Honolulu and choose a hand-wrapped book to borrow with your library card and read at home. Return the book and fill out the “Rate Your Date” bookmark for a chance to win a gift card! (Must pickup prize in person; prize will not be mailed). First come, first pick until all wrapped books run out! Bonus: This counts towards your reading minutes for the Summer Reading Challenge, so don’t forget to log them in the Beanstack App!

Questions? Call the Teen Reference Desk at 808-586-3490.

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.

Chess at the Library
Chessboard

Please join us for Chess at the Library in the Art, Music, & Recreation section on the 2nd floor of the Main Library.

Six boards will be available- 1st come, first serve.

All experience levels are welcome.

Please contact the Art, Music, & Recreation section at 586-3520 for more information.

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 at librarieshawaii.org/events.

Blind Date with a Library Book for Teens
book wrapped in brown butcher paper to hide the cover

Happening June 15 to August 3, 2024!

Calling all teens in Grades 7-12! Looking for a fun (BOOK) date this summer? Try a Blind Date With a Library Book from June 15 to August 3, 2024! Visit the Teen Section at the Hawaii State Library in downtown Honolulu and choose a hand-wrapped book to borrow with your library card and read at home. Return the book and fill out the “Rate Your Date” bookmark for a chance to win a gift card! (Must pickup prize in person; prize will not be mailed). First come, first pick until all wrapped books run out! Bonus: This counts towards your reading minutes for the Summer Reading Challenge, so don’t forget to log them in the Beanstack App!

Questions? Call the Teen Reference Desk at 808-586-3490.

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.

Blind Date with a Library Book for Teens
book wrapped in brown butcher paper to hide the cover

Happening June 15 to August 3, 2024!

Calling all teens in Grades 7-12! Looking for a fun (BOOK) date this summer? Try a Blind Date With a Library Book from June 15 to August 3, 2024! Visit the Teen Section at the Hawaii State Library in downtown Honolulu and choose a hand-wrapped book to borrow with your library card and read at home. Return the book and fill out the “Rate Your Date” bookmark for a chance to win a gift card! (Must pickup prize in person; prize will not be mailed). First come, first pick until all wrapped books run out! Bonus: This counts towards your reading minutes for the Summer Reading Challenge, so don’t forget to log them in the Beanstack App!

Questions? Call the Teen Reference Desk at 808-586-3490.

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.

Blind Date with a Library Book for Teens
book wrapped in brown butcher paper to hide the cover

Happening June 15 to August 3, 2024!

Calling all teens in Grades 7-12! Looking for a fun (BOOK) date this summer? Try a Blind Date With a Library Book from June 15 to August 3, 2024! Visit the Teen Section at the Hawaii State Library in downtown Honolulu and choose a hand-wrapped book to borrow with your library card and read at home. Return the book and fill out the “Rate Your Date” bookmark for a chance to win a gift card! (Must pickup prize in person; prize will not be mailed). First come, first pick until all wrapped books run out! Bonus: This counts towards your reading minutes for the Summer Reading Challenge, so don’t forget to log them in the Beanstack App!

Questions? Call the Teen Reference Desk at 808-586-3490.

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.

Blind Date with a Library Book for Teens
book wrapped in brown butcher paper to hide the cover

Happening June 15 to August 3, 2024!

Calling all teens in Grades 7-12! Looking for a fun (BOOK) date this summer? Try a Blind Date With a Library Book from June 15 to August 3, 2024! Visit the Teen Section at the Hawaii State Library in downtown Honolulu and choose a hand-wrapped book to borrow with your library card and read at home. Return the book and fill out the “Rate Your Date” bookmark for a chance to win a gift card! (Must pickup prize in person; prize will not be mailed). First come, first pick until all wrapped books run out! Bonus: This counts towards your reading minutes for the Summer Reading Challenge, so don’t forget to log them in the Beanstack App!

Questions? Call the Teen Reference Desk at 808-586-3490.

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.

SSP 101 Scavenger Hunt
Magnifying glass

It’s back to school season and it’s time to test your knowledge of the Social Science & Philosophy section! Ask for a scavenger hunt sheet at our reference desk and get a free notebook upon completion! While supplies last.

The scavenger hunt will only be available through August. Call 808-586-3529 or visit the section for more information.

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 at librarieshawaii.org/events.

Blind Date with a Library Book for Teens
book wrapped in brown butcher paper to hide the cover

Happening June 15 to August 3, 2024!

Calling all teens in Grades 7-12! Looking for a fun (BOOK) date this summer? Try a Blind Date With a Library Book from June 15 to August 3, 2024! Visit the Teen Section at the Hawaii State Library in downtown Honolulu and choose a hand-wrapped book to borrow with your library card and read at home. Return the book and fill out the “Rate Your Date” bookmark for a chance to win a gift card! (Must pickup prize in person; prize will not be mailed). First come, first pick until all wrapped books run out! Bonus: This counts towards your reading minutes for the Summer Reading Challenge, so don’t forget to log them in the Beanstack App!

Questions? Call the Teen Reference Desk at 808-586-3490.

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.

Blind Date with a Library Book for Teens
book wrapped in brown butcher paper to hide the cover

Happening June 15 to August 3, 2024!

Calling all teens in Grades 7-12! Looking for a fun (BOOK) date this summer? Try a Blind Date With a Library Book from June 15 to August 3, 2024! Visit the Teen Section at the Hawaii State Library in downtown Honolulu and choose a hand-wrapped book to borrow with your library card and read at home. Return the book and fill out the “Rate Your Date” bookmark for a chance to win a gift card! (Must pickup prize in person; prize will not be mailed). First come, first pick until all wrapped books run out! Bonus: This counts towards your reading minutes for the Summer Reading Challenge, so don’t forget to log them in the Beanstack App!

Questions? Call the Teen Reference Desk at 808-586-3490.

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.

Friendship Bracelet Workshop
Friendship bracelets

WHAT WE WILL LEARN:

Beginner Friendly: this simple technique will let you create all types of designs. For Ages 12 & up. Space is limited call 808-586-3520 to reserve. Construction may require cancellation.

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 at librarieshawaii.org/events.

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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In observance of the Statehood Day holiday, all public libraries will be closed on Friday, August 16, 2024.

In observance of the Labor Day holiday, all public libraries will be closed from Saturday to Monday, August 31 to September 2, 2024.