MEDIA RELEASE

A new community service organization, Friends of the Library-Waikoloa Region (FLWR “flower”), has been nurturing an exciting new initiative that could bring a much needed interim library facility to Waikoloa Village. FLWR is being organized as a non-profit association with a mission to support and improve Waikoloa-Region Library Facility services and resources.

The group held its first meeting in Waikoloa Village on February 26, 2010 to elect new officers and plan for the interim library facility. The new officers are: Bette Green, President; Ruth Bernstone, Vice President; Stephanie Stearns, Vice President of Membership; Judy Lane, Secretary; and Vivian Green, Treasurer.

Members began planning to move one of the state’s library Bookmobiles to a site in Waikoloa Village. Bette Green, FLWR President, described the meeting as “tackling the “3R’s of relocating, refurbishing and re-opening.”

The Waikoloa Village Association board has already agreed to provide a site to park the Bookmobile and FLWR plans to operate an interim library or used book area once the vehicle has been converted from a mobile unit to a fixed facility. Similar Bookmobile conversions in Honolulu have been successfully completed by the statewide Friends of the Library of Hawaii. This group currently operates a used book center within a converted Bookmobile in the parking lot of their Kaka’ako office.

FLWR’s next meeting is open to all interested community members and will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 26, 2010 in the Waikoloa School Library. Membership is free and individuals are encouraged to join FLWR as a reflection of community support for library facilities in the Waikoloa region. You too can share in the group’s motto “plant a seed, watch it grow.” For more information about FLWR and how to join, please contact Stephanie at 883-2424.

More info: www.library.waikoloacommunity.org/

MEDIA RELEASE

Mountain View Public & School Library (Big Island) is scheduled to reopen on Monday, February 22 at noon. The Library has been closed for interior renovation and maintenance.

The Library’s public service hours are:

• Monday, noon – 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Closed Saturday and Sunday

The Library’s book drops will be opened as of next week Tuesday, February 16 at 9 a.m. In addition, patrons will again be able to designate new or pending requests for books and other materials be sent to Mountain View Public & School Library for pickup.

Mountain View Public & School Library is located at 18-1235 Volcano Highway, on the Mountain View Elementary School campus. For information about the Library’s programs and services, please call (808) 968-2322.

MEDIA RELEASE

Mountain View Public & School Library (Big Island) will close temporarily beginning on Tuesday, December 1 for interior renovation and maintenance. The book drop will also be closed. An announcement will be made when the Library is scheduled to reopen.

During the closure, patrons may visit the nearest libraries during normal public service hours – Hilo Public Library (300 Waianuenue Avenue; telephone: 933-8888) or Keaau Public & School Library (16-571 Keaau-Pahoa Road; telephone: 982-4281) – for their library service needs.

Patrons may also visit the HSPLS website: www.librarieshawaii.org from their home or office computer, to browse the HSPLS Catalog for book titles, eBooks, digital audio books, EBSCOhost (features a wide variety of online databases), which provides full-text materials from magazines, newspapers, journals, and other publications. Patrons should have their valid library card number handy.

In addition, patrons with brief informational reference questions may utilize the “Ask-A-Librarian” E-Reference service via the HSPLS website. Click on the “Information” tab, select “E-Reference,” and follow the simple instructions. A library card is not required to use this service.

MEDIA RELEASE

Kailua-Kona Public Library will change the Tuesday hours for its public service schedule beginning on November 3, 2009.

The Library’s Tuesday hours will be noon to 7 p.m. instead of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The rest of the Library’s public service schedule will remain the same:

• Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Monday – Closed

Kailua-Kona Public Library is located at 75-138 Hualalai Road. For information about the services and programs offered, please call the Library at (808) 327-4327.

MEDIA RELEASE

Laupahoehoe Public & School Library will discontinue its Passport Application Acceptance Service, effective Saturday, October 31, 2009, in order for staff to focus on providing core library services to patrons. Another Big Island library, the Kealakekua Public Library, also discontinued its passport application acceptance service last week.

During these tough economic times, and the need for the Hawaii State Public Library System to offer essential core library services, extra services such as the Passport Application Acceptance Service will be impacted. Other libraries including Kapolei Public Library and Kalihi-Palama Public Library on Oahu, and Lanai Public & School Library have recently ended this service, as well.

Laupahoehoe Public & School Library and Kealakekua Public Library, in partnership with the Honolulu Passport Agency, U.S. Department of State, both volunteered to become Passport Application Acceptance Facilities in February 2001. The Libraries’ staff would like to thank the public for their generous support of this service, and for their understanding.

The nearest passport application acceptance facilities to these libraries are: Peepeekeo Post Office, (808) 964-3253; and Kealakekua Post Office, (808) 322-1656, respectively. An appointment is required to apply for a passport at these post offices.

MEDIA RELEASE

Thanks to the rapid response and generous support of library users across the state, a portion of the monetary donations raised through the “Keep Your Library Open!” fund-raising campaign will be used to keep Mountain View Public and School Library open during the month of October. This Big Island Library was previously scheduled to be temporarily closed from October 2-22, 2009 because of funding and staffing shortages, but library staffs at Mountain View and in HSPLS support offices have been able to reverse closure plans and schedules.

“We are happy to announce that proceeds collected through the “Keep Your Library Open!” program, and the Friends of the Library of Hawaii’s complimentary fundraising campaign, “Keep the Doors Open!,” will be used to support the operational expenses to keep Mountain View Public and School Library open throughout the month of October,” said State Librarian Richard Burns. “We are very grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support shown by our library patrons since the launch of the fundraising campaigns three weeks ago, and we expect that the funds raised will be able to help all our public libraries.”

The Hawaii State Public Library System’s “Keep Your Library Open!” and the Friends of the Library of Hawaii’s “Keep the Doors Open!” campaign, launched on September 2nd have combined to generate more than $100,000 in monetary donations to date. The fund-raising campaigns were initiated in response to unprecedented budget restrictions that threaten to close public libraries during the current economic crisis.

While the two donation campaigns are off to a good start, the need for community support in raising funds for Hawaii’s public libraries continues. Patrons are invited to make a tax-deductible monetary donation to their local library. The contributions will be used to support the operations of the Hawaii State Public Library System such as purchasing library materials, providing funds for core services and programs, and for other operational expenses. Donations are accepted at all public libraries, and checks may be made payable to the Hawaii State Public Library System, designating the local library on the check memo line. Donations may also be mailed to: Office of the State Librarian, Administrative Services Branch, 44 Merchant Street, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Collection totals are posted on the library system’s website, www.librarieshawaii.org, and the Friends of the Library of Hawaii’s “Keep the Doors Open” campaign totals can be viewed on the Friends’ website at www.friendsofthelibraryofhawaii.org, where credit card donations will be accepted.

(left to right), Judd Sato, Jr., HSPLS Õ09 Employee of the Year; State Librarian Richard Burns; and members of the HSPLS Õ09 Team of the Year: ChildrenÕs Science Book Project Ð Duane Wenzel, Branch Manager; Kristine Kishida, Library Technician V; Curt Fukumoto, Librarian III; all at Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library; and Edwin Kamikawa, Illustrator-Photographer of Library Development Services Section. Not pictured: Ann Luke, Library Technician V of Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) announces the selection of their 2009 Employee of the Year and Team of the Year recipients, who were recognized and honored at the September 17 Board of Education Meeting at Queen Liliuokalani Building.

Judd Sato, Jr., Light Truck Driver of the HSPLS Logistics Support Services Section on Maui, is the 2009 HSPLS Employee of the Year. Sato, who is always smiling and happy, does an excellent job of packing up and delivering all the books for Maui County Libraries in a very timely and efficient manner. He will go out of his way when asked to do a little extra, whether he’s bringing in 15 – 20 bins of books from delivery or bringing in 10 – 15 boxes for mailing each day to the Neighbor Islands.

In addition, Sato, Jr. makes a distinctive and significant contribution to the Maui County community by coaching the Maui High School football team, and also collects Toys for Tots with his motorcycle club.

The Children’s Science Book Project is the recipient of the 2009 HSPLS Team of the Year Award. Team members include: Duane Wenzel, Branch Manager; Curt Fukumoto, Librarian III; Ann Luke, Library Technician V; Kristine Kishida, Library Technician V; all at Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library; and Edwin Kamikawa, Illustrator-Photographer of Library Development
Services Section.

The Children’s Science Book Project, an annual event since 2004, endeavors to interest children in learning about science and technology through books, introduce adults to the wide variety and high quality of science books for children and aid teachers and librarians in selecting the best science trade books for their collections.

Each year, the Children’s Science Book Project Team sends letters to the top children’s publishers asking for complimentary review copies of their latest science trade books for children; reviews, rates, annotates and enters each book received; develops an annotated bibliography, arranged by subject, of all titles received that year and distributes 1,000 copies statewide in varying quantities to each public library.

In addition, the Team presents an opening exhibit of that year’s titles at the Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library for a six-week period, and also develops a traveling exhibit of that year’s titles available to any public library in the state.

The Project has saved the State’s library materials budget an estimated
$26,000 over five years; distributed 4,000 “Children’s Science Book Project
Bibliographies” which are used by parents, teachers and librarians to select the
highest quality books for their children; displayed the Children’s Science Book
Project annual exhibit statewide at four public libraries each year (six-to-eight weeks per library), including two on Maui and two on the Big Island, thereby sharing resources and building circulation, especially in smaller, rural libraries with limited funding for buying library materials.

HSPLS is a stronger system with better collections as a result of the Children’s Science Book Project Team.

Staff members who earned the Sustained Superior Performance Awards for this year are Colleen Kainuma, Library Technician in the Hawaii State Library-Hawaii Documents Section, and Don Chambers, Jr., Library Technician at Mililani Public Library.

The above recipients will represent HSPLS in the 2009 Governor’s Award Ceremony scheduled for October.

MEDIA RELEASE

Laupahoehoe Public & School Library, located on the Laupahoehoe High & Elementary School campus, will adjust its hours temporarily on September 11 and 30, 2009 due to a funding shortage. The Library is scheduled to resume normal public service hours on October 1, 2009.

On these dates only, the Library’s temporary public service hours will be:

• Friday, September 11 from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., instead of 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 30 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m., instead of 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

The rest of the public service schedule will remain the same:

• Mondays, from noon-8 p.m.
• Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Fridays, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Saturdays, Sundays, Closed

Currently, libraries statewide are dealing with fragile staffing situations as a result of a prolonged hiring freeze, more than 70 vacant positions and retirements.

Mandated budget reductions for all state departments have left the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) with insufficient funding for some libraries to continue normal hours of operation. Laupahoehoe Public & School Library is scheduled to return to normal public service hours on October 1, 2009.

MEDIA RELEASE

In observance of the Labor Day 2009 Holiday, all public libraries will be closed from Saturday through Monday, September 5 – 7.

This holiday may affect the public service hours at libraries. Please visit www.librarieshawaii.org or call your local library for details.

MEDIA RELEASE

Three Oahu teen girls are the “Top 3” Grand Prize winners of the 2009 Hawaii State Public Library System and Hawaii Pizza Hut Teen Summer Reading Finale conducted this morning (8/22) at Kahala Mall Center Court Stage.

They are:

• Alyssa Fujimoto, Pearl City Public Library finalist (Kamehameha, grade 12); won Apple iPod Touch
• Rachel Tanoue, Aiea Public Library finalist (Moanalua High, grade 9); won HP netbook computer
• Kaylarae Santos-Paglinawan, Wahiawa Public Library finalist (Kamehameha, grade 9); won Dynex LCD TV/DVD combo

The three were among a large group of teen finalists, each a lucky drawing winner of the 23 Oahu branch public libraries. One-by-one, the finalists were asked to select a numbered pizza box with a prize listed inside which also included hand-held video cameras, digital cameras, and Best Buy gift cards. All prizes were donated by Hawaii Pizza Hut, corporate sponsor of the Teen Summer Reading Program for the past 17 years.

The event featured a special appearance by Star Wars characters Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and four Storm Troopers from the Pacific Outpost 501st Legion, who added excitement and assisted in the prize giveaways. Lina Girl, KCCN-FM 100 air personality, served as emcee.
Approximately 3,000 teens statewide participated in the annual HSPLS Teen Summer Reading Program which encourages reading and strengthens reading habits. Collectively, they have read nearly 24,000 books.

In addition, Hawaii Pizza Hut representatives are scheduled to award Nikon digital cameras to four lucky drawing winners on their respective Neighbor Island:

• Janelle Costales, Maui County winner: Lanai Public Library finalist (Lanai High, grade 9)
• Tori Craig, Kauai winner: Hanapepe Public Library finalist (Waimea High, grade 11)
• Anjulee Obina, West Hawaii winner: Bond Memorial Public Library finalist (Kohala High, grade 10)
• Jennifer Tabios, East Hawaii winner: Naalehu Public Library finalist (Kau High, grade 7)

This year’s theme, “Reading Rocks @ Your Library,” featured books about rock and roll music, rock bands, geology and gemology, rock climbing, “rocking the boat” for environmental protection, and taking a stand to make your voice heard. Students entering grade 7 through 2009 high school graduates were invited to sign up for the five-week Teen Summer Reading Program.

The Friends of the Library of Hawaii are the overall sponsors of the HSPLS Summer Reading Programs which are offered to children, teens and adults, respectively.

Following is a list of the 2009 Hawaii State Public Library System and Hawaii Pizza Hut Teen Summer Reading Finale Grand Prize Winners:

Teen/Oahu Public Libraries:
Wang Nga Chan, Gr. 12, Hawaii State Library
Rachel Tanoue, Aiea Public Library (Moanalua High, Gr. 9): won HP netbook computer
Katerina Imamura, Gr. 7, Aina Haina
Kasie Dodge, Gr. 10, Ewa Beach
Cyrus Ma, Gr. 7, Hawaii Kai
Chenoa Yorgason, Gr. 8, Kahuku
Ryan Hambalek, Gr. 7, Kailua
Amy McKee, Gr. 12, Kaimuki
May Lei Lopez, Gr. 10, Kalihi-Palama
Jennifer Au, Gr. 9, Kaneohe
Mary Campany, Gr. 10, Kapolei
Mayson Cabo, Gr. 9, LBPH
Cherise Spotkaeff, Gr. 8, Liliha
Mark Lee, Gr. 8, McCully-Moiliili
Kellianna Ward, Gr. 11, Mililani
Alyssa Fujimoto, Pearl City Public Library (Kamehameha, Gr. 12): won Apple iPod Touch
Rachel Tabalba, Gr. 11, Salt Lake-Moanalua
Kaylarae Santos-Paglinawan, Wahiawa Public Library (Kamehameha, Gr. 9): won Dynex LCD TV/DVD combo
Kristine Mina, Gr. 12, Waialua
Janet Marie Perkins, Gr. 7, Waianae
Mina Zheng, Gr. 11, Waikiki-Kapahulu
Sunshine Saucedo, Gr. 7, Waimanalo
Theresa Querido, Gr. 7, Waipahu

MEDIA RELEASE

Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library (Big Island) will change its public service schedule effective the week of August 30, 2009.

The Library will switch from a Monday-Saturday to a Tuesday-Saturday schedule. While the new schedule will close the library on Monday, it will provide patrons with a full day of service on both Friday and Saturday.

The first day of service for the new schedule will be on Tuesday, September 1, 2009. Following is the library’s new public service schedule:

• Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Monday, CLOSED

Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library is located at 67-1209 Mamalahoa Highway in Kamuela, on the Waimea Elementary and Intermediate School campus. For information about programs and services, please call the Library at (808) 887-6067.

MEDIA RELEASE

Keaau Public and School Library (Big Island), located at 16-571 Keaau-Pahoa Road, will reopen on Thursday, August 13 at 1 p.m.

The Library has been closed since June 17 for health, safety, and accessibility improvements, and the installation of a new roof.

Public services hours will remain the same:

• Monday – 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Thursday – 1 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Wednesday – 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Friday – 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Sunday – Closed

For information about Keaau Public & School Library services and programs offered, please call 808-982-4281 during regular library hours.