Legislature Appropriates $700,000 for Library eBooks, other Materials

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Legislature Appropriates $700,000 for Library eBooks, other Materials
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Legislature Appropriates $700,000 for Library eBooks, other Materials

With the support of the Governor and the Hawaii State Legislature, $700,000 was provided to the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) to significantly expand its collections of eBooks and other new library materials.

"We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Legislature and Governor for providing this much needed funding to enhance our eBooks collection as well as our other library collections," said State Librarian Richard Burns. "Our eBook collection is extremely popular and well-used, and eBook circulation is growing at a faster rate than any other materials collection. Accordingly, we plan to devote fully half of these funds to eBook purchases, which we estimate will increase our total eBook collection by approximately 25%. This funding will help us meet the high demand for eBooks and other library materials."

This marks the first time since 2008 (the beginning of Hawaii's economic downturn) that Hawaii's public libraries will receive funding specifically for library materials. For the past five years, HSPLS has relied on special funds and federal grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to purchase annual subscriptions to the most popular, high-demand online resources and databases, and to expand and update our library collections. In addition, HSPLS has used these IMLS grants to fund IT infrastructure, network, other technology costs, and some eBook/eAudio/eMusic materials.

Board of Education Chairman Don Horner said "Our Libraries play a vital role in providing access to educational and vocational information. Technology is providing libraries a new opportunity to offer the public improved access to information more effectively and efficiently."

HSPLS has also formed valuable partnerships to replace obsolete public access computers and enhance our workforce development resources, including:

* Partnering with the University of Hawaii and the Department of Education in the federal Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP), which provided free wireless internet access in all our libraries; new public access computers, including 54 ADA-accessible workstations; and new hardware and software.

* Leveraging our $823,000 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online hardware grant with the BTOP grant to install 600 new public access computers and workstations in Hawaii's public libraries. The Friends of the Library of Hawaii played a major role in providing matching funds of about $388,000 as required by the grant program.

* Joining with Microsoft, to become the only library system in the world to offer all our patrons free access to the Microsoft IT Academy and Digital Literacy Program, which provides online training that patrons can use to create their careers in the IT marketplace.

"Without State funding, IMLS grants and our many valuable partnerships, the Hawaii State Public Library System would be unable to provide the programs, resources and public access technology our patrons need," said Burns. "Now our patrons can build their future in the world of technology and prepare themselves for employment in the modern workplace. It comes at a noteworthy time as the Hawaii State Library celebrates 100 years of service to the people of Hawaii and as we continue construction on a new public library in Aiea."

About Waikiki - Kapahulu Public Library

The mission of the Hawaii State Public Library System is to provide Hawaii's residents, in all walks of life, and at each stage of their lives, with access to education, information, programs and services, and to teach and nurture the love of reading and the habit of life-long learning.

HOURS
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Wednesday: 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Thursday: 12:00PM to 7:00PM
Friday: 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Saturday: 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sunday: Closed

Library Cards
You may apply for a library card at any Hawaii public library. The initial card is FREE for Hawaii residents. Cards are also free for military personnel and their dependents with a copy of orders. The resident card replacement fee is $5.00. Resident library cards must be renewed every five years. There is no charge for the renewal.

STAFF
Branch Manager -- Stephanie Strickland
Reference Librarian --
Reference Librarian --
Children's Librarian --
Young Adult Librarian --

MAIN POLICIES

Library Cards
first one free, replacement $5.00
Loan Period
3 weeks for books and CDs
1 week for DVDs/ videos
Overdue fines
25 cents per day for all ages for books, CDs, DVDs/videos
Rental fees
$1.00 per week for DVDs and videos

SERVICES

CONNECT FROM HOME:

Search Catalog
CDs & DVDs
electronic databases
Download eBooks/Audio/Music
Serials
library information
Free Wi-Fi in the library during business hours. Login using your valid library card number and your PIN (last 4 digits of your phone no.)
and more!

Internet Computers -- one hour sessions with valid library card
13 internet computers for the public, one w/ ADA accommodations... printing available, donations requested

Loan Renewals:
On person with library material or call 733-8488, then press "0" -- have your library material with you when calling.

Book Drops -- for after business hours -- one by the front door or drive-up book drop in the upper parking lot

Friends of the Kaimuki Library -- support group for the library
-- Members and officers needed
-- Ongoing book sale bookshelf - $1.00 per book

2 Photocopiers
** 20 cents per page

2 Microfilm Reader/Printers
** 15 cents per page

Ongoing Book Sale
** Friends of Kaimuki Library

ENHANCED SERVICES
The Hawaii State Public Library System provides the following enhanced services for library users. Click on the service in which you are interested for more information.

Books by Mail
Custom Research
Interlibrary Loans
Passports
Photocopying and Mailing Documents
Test Proctoring

Questions? Ready for an appointment?

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