The Hawai‘i State Public Library System has released the statistics for the 2016 Summer Reading Programs. These annual programs are the largest program at our Hawai‘i public libraries that are funded primarily by Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i and our sponsors.

The theme this year was Health and Fitness: Mind, Body, and Soul and the programs took place between June 5 and July 16, 2016. Of the over 25,000 residents who registered for the programs, 60% completed the 4 or more weeks for a free book! Look for an even more exciting Summer Reading Program in 2017!

Click here to View and Read the Full Report.

Readers of all ages can participate in the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) 2016 Summer Reading Program from June 5 through July 16.  Registration for the free six-week program at public libraries statewide begins on May 31.  Contact your local library for details and guidelines.

 

Participants are encouraged to read at least 20 minutes a day during the program.  Weekly incentives will be provided for their reading effort, which includes a Marcus Mariota READ Poster (11 x 17), while supplies last.  New this year, participants who complete 4 or more weeks will receive a free book!  We are very grateful to Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation for making a donation of Leap Frog books for participating children from babies to grade 5. 

 

“Staying fit includes giving our amazing reading muscles a work out!,” said State Librarian Stacey Aldrich.  “We are encouraging everyone to read at least 20 minutes a day.  For students, it can help prevent the summer reading slide and improve vocabulary.  For families, it’s a great way to spend quality time reading together.  We hope everyone will join and have a fun and reading-fit summer!”

                              

In addition, the program will feature lucky drawings for prizes and performances by artists from the University of Hawaii’s Statewide Cultural Extension Program.  Performance programs will be highlighted on the HSPLS website.

               

For more information about the HSPLS 2016 Summer Reading Program: visit www.librarieshawaii.org, like us atwww.facebook.com/HSPLSHIgov, follow us on www.twitter.com/HSPLSHIgov, or call your local public library.

 

FLH Bookstore Opening in April 4, 2017!

Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i is currently finalizing the installation of our Friends bookstore in the Chinatown/Downtown area. 

The planned extensive renovations at ARTS at Markʻs Garage are nearly complete. We are joining the ARTS partnership and the Bookstore will open on April 4, 2017. Find us at ARTS at Mark's Garage at 1159 Nu‘uanu Avenue in downtown Honolulu. Please check back for more information as we work on offering you affordable books & media in Honolulu! 

The proceeds from our booksales go to the support of Hawai‘iʻs 50 public libraries. The State pays for the library facilities and personnel. Friends support, with our sponsors, provides programming, librarian support, new tech projects, and much more! Mahalo for your support!

Each hot and muggy June, Friends of the Library of Hawaii becomes a loose-knit but fervent ‘ohana with hundreds of volunteers focused on one goal: to sell donated books, recorded works and even artworks to raise money for the state’s 50 libraries. 

Over the course of two weeks (set-up time followed by the hectic sale and then the breakdown), the volunteers talk story, discover common bonds, share books (we are our best customers) and revive relationships that, for many, are but a once-a-year-occurrence. Books that are not sold are donated to needy library systems elsewere, or held for later sale online if they have collectible value.

At the core of this impressive operation are year-round volunteers, who put in regular weekly shifts, pricing, sorting and packing books. Each is responsible for a particular subject area and each has a phenomenal memory of our stock and a loving, protective attitude toward their “babies.”

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