Join the HSPLS Summer Reading Programs @ your Library

Readers of all ages are invited to participate in the 2013 Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) Summer Reading Programs which will be conducted from June 2 through July 6.  Registration for the free five-week programs at public libraries begins on Tuesday, May 28.   Contact your local public library for starting dates and guidelines. 

Participants who visit their local library and read at least one book per week are eligible to receive a free weekly reading incentive, while supplies last.  In addition to reading, the programs will feature performances by outstanding storytellers and artists. Performance programs will be highlighted in the June issue of Holo I Mua, HSPLS website: www.librarieshawaii.org, Facebook at www.facebook.com/HSPLSHIgov, and Twitter at www.twitter.com/HSPLSHIgov.

This year's programs and themes are:

Read more...

Dedication Ceremony: Renaming of Kapaa Public Library's Children's Room to the "Priscilla T. Leong Children's Reading Room"
Friday, May 17 at 11 a.m.
Kapaa Public Library, 1464 Kuhio Highway, phone: 821-4422 
 
The Kapaa Public Library (Kauai) will conduct a dedication ceremony to rename the Children's Room the "Priscilla T. Leong Children's Reading Room" in honor of the late Priscilla T. Leong, on Friday, May 17 at 11 a.m.  

Leong, who was a strong advocate in the opening of Kapaa Public Library in March 1955 and worked as a special part-time children's assistant, passed away in 2012.  Leong, a Kauai native and regular Library patron and avid reader, served for many years as the librarian at Kapaa Elementary School.  She helped to establish the Friends of the Kapaa Public Library, where she served as President until 2011, and as Chairperson of the former Kauai District Library Advisory Commission.

The family of the late Priscilla T. Leong recently donated $25,000 to the Library in honor of Leong's dedication and commitment to libraries and children.  The donation will be used for the funding of library materials, programs, and furniture. 

Mark your calendars!  Sixteen libraries will offer readers free comic books on Saturday, May 4 in celebration of the12th anniversary of Free Comic Book Day.  Library patrons showing their valid Hawaii State Public Library System card will receive a special free comic book, while supplies last.  Participating libraries' local Friends groups, Jelly's the Original, and Collector Maniacs are sponsoring this year's event. 

Free Comic Book Day (www.freecomicbookday.com) is celebrated worldwide on the first Saturday in May and participating libraries and comic book shops have given away millions of free comic books over the past 11 years.  Each participating HSPLS library will offer a variety of comic books for all ages.  Readers can choose from among popular series including : "DC Nation Super Sampler #1," "Disney Fairies," "Dragon Ball & Rurouni Kenshin Restoration," "Sesame Street & Strawberry Shortcake," "Star Wars" and "Walking Dead Special."  Comic book selections will vary by library.          

Participating public libraries include: 

Read more...

"Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life" by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts has been chosen by the children of Hawaii as the winner of the 2013 Nene Award.  The Nene Honor Book Award (runner-up) is "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda" by Tom Angleberger.   

The annual Nene Award is presented to the favorite fiction book based on a vote by the children of Hawaii in grades 4 through 6.  This year, a total of 5,985 students from 78 public libraries, private and public schools statewide voted.

Award-winning children's book author Jacqueline Davies, co-winner of the 2012 Nene Award for "The Lemonade War," the first book in "The Lemonade War" series, was a special guest and made the announcement this morning before an audience of more than 700 invited dignitaries, students, teachers, and other guests at the 48th Annual Nene Award Presentation Ceremony, conducted for the second consecutive year at the Hawaii Okinawa Center.  

Read more...