Sign up for HSPLS Summer Reading Programs @ your Library

         Readers of all ages are invited to participate in the 2014 Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) Summer Reading Programs which will be conducted from Sunday, June 1 through Saturday, July 12.  Registration for the free six-week programs at all 50 public libraries statewide begins on Tuesday, May 27.  Some libraries may extend their programs beyond the July 12 date; contact your local library for dates and other guidelines.

            “Touch A Truck,” a free event to kick-off the 2014 HSPLS Children’s Summer Reading Program, will be conducted at Mililani Public Library (95-450 Makaimoimo Street) on Saturday, May 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

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The Eyes of Hawaii Photography Club will showcase a variety of photos in its eighth annual exhibit at the Hawaii State Library from May 1 through 29, 2014.

This colorful and eye-catching photo exhibit will be on display in the Lobby.  The exhibit is suitable for all ages, and may be viewed during normal library hours.

In 2001, the Eyes of Hawaii Photography Club was established by a group of enthusiastic photography students at Kaimuki Community School for Adults.  Today, the club has grown to more than 100 members and provides programs and activities to enhance members' photography skills. 

The Club presented its inaugural photo exhibit in 2004 at the former Sam Choy's Diamond Head Restaurant.  Since then the Club's photos have been featured at the Hawaii State Library as well as several other Honolulu venues.  As a registered non-profit corporation, the Club also provides photographic support to many community service and educational organizations.

The Hawaii State Library is located at 478 South King Street.  For more information, please call the Library's Art, Music and Recreation section at 586-3520.

Attached are two photos courtesy of the Eyes of Hawaii Photography Club – "Grandma Surprise" by Rita Kaku and "Serval-Honolulu Zoo" by Jerry Anaya

"The Strange Case of Origami Yoda" by Tom Angleberger has been chosen by the children of Hawaii as the winner of the 2014 Nene Award.  The Nene Honor Book Award (runner-up) is "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio.   

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 6,308 students from 73 public libraries, private and public schools statewide voted.

Linda Jackson, the daughter of Nancy Brooks, who began the Nene Award, was a special guest and made the announcement this morning before an audience of more than 400 invited dignitaries, students, teachers, and other guests at the 50th Anniversary Nene Award Presentation Ceremony at Sacred Hearts Academy Auditorium.  

"The Strange Case of Origami Yoda" is a humorous story about Dwight, a self-described "loser," who talks to his sixth-grade classmates via an origami finger puppet of Yoda.  If that weren't strange enough, the puppet is uncannily wise and predicts the date of a pop quiz, guesses who stole the classroom Shakespeare bust, and saves a classmate from popularity-crushing embarrassment with some well-timed advice. 

Student contest winners of digital works, essays, creative writing, and posters celebrating "The Strange Case of Origami Yoda," were honored at the ceremony. The winners and honorable mentions of five categories include:

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In celebration of National Reading Month, the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) is partnering with the Honolulu Zoo Society, Children's Literature Hawaii and the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl to present "Wild About Reading" on Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Honolulu Zoo.  "Wild About Reading" is a free event with purchase of zoo admission. Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i will also take part with a booth at the event!

The purpose of this event is to stimulate an interest in reading and highlight the importance of literacy.  Gates will open at 9 a.m. and the first 500 families admitted will receive a ticket for a complimentary copy of "Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey" by award-winning children's author James Rumford.  An opening ceremony will be conducted at 10 a.m. and various activities will promote reading children's books about zoo animals throughout the event. 

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Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library will add Saturdays to its public service schedule beginning the week of March 10.  The Library has revised its current public service hours, adding Saturday hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The Library, located at 3325 Salt Lake Boulevard, will be moving from a Monday through Friday to a Monday through Saturday schedule.  

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