Hawaii State Library

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Coordinates: 21°18′21″N 157°51′27″W / 21.30591°N 157.85746°W / 21.30591; -157.85746
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Hawaii State Library
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Coordinates21°18′21″N 157°51′27″W / 21.30591°N 157.85746°W / 21.30591; -157.85746
Built1911–1913
ArchitectHenry D. Whitfield
Part ofHawaii Capital Historic District
NRHP reference No.78001020
Significant dates
OpenedFebruary 1, 1913
Added to NRHP12/01/1978

The Hawaiʻi State Library is a historic building in

ʻIolani Palace and the Hawaiʻi State Capitol. Originally funded by Andrew Carnegie, the building was designed by architect Henry D. Whitfield. Groundbreaking took place in 1911 and construction was completed in 1913. In 1978, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places, as a contributing property within the Hawaii Capital Historic District.[1]

The building holds over 525,000 cataloged books. The entire Hawaiʻi State Public Library System has a collection of over 3 million books. Nearby is the Hawaiʻi State Archives which holds book collections of historical significance to Hawaiʻi. The Edna Allyn Children's Room houses murals by artist Juliette May Fraser depicting Hawaiian legends while the garden courtyard features a mosaic of ocean currents by Hiroki Morinoue. Barbara Hepworth's cast bronze sculptures, named Parent I and Young Girl, greet visitors at the lawn in front of the building.

History

Before the Hawaiʻi State Library was constructed, library facilities were provided by the Honolulu Library and Reading Room Association, founded in 1879 by the

Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. Prior to this, the site was the location of Hāliʻimaile, the residence of Boki and Liliha and later, Victoria Kamāmalu and her father and brothers before they ascended Kamehameha IV and Kamehameha V.[2] Hawaii's royalty (King Kalakaua, Queen Kapiolani, Queen Emma, and Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop) gave both financial support and their personal book collections to the association. King Kalakaua also provided tax exemptions and a land grant for a permanent site in downtown Honolulu.[3]

The Hawaiʻi State Library was funded by a grant from Andrew Carnegie. The Library met the government-related requirements for the grant with the cooperation of Walter F. Frear. Edna Allyn was the head librarian when it opened in 1913.[4]

In 1921, the County Library Law established separate libraries on the islands of

C.W. Dickey tripled its size by new wings to create an open-air courtyard in the center.[5]

After statehood in 1959, the

handicapped, and landscaping, while the expansion added a large wing to the rear of the building that blended well with the older wings.[5]

Library development in Hawaii

The library system of Hawaii State Library, which was established in June 1965, called for a new concept of organization that had to be created by the state librarian.

Board of Education,[7] and reports directly to the Superintendent of Education. Other government agencies that the state librarian reports to are the seven appointed School Advisory Councils, the four Library Advisory Commissions, and others that are engaged in education. The state librarian is responsible for the operation, planning, programming, and budgeting of all public libraries within the State;[7] however, there are no local funds in Hawaii, and as such, the governor and legislature approve the funding and budget of the State Library.[6]

Gallery

  • Skylight & chandelier above foyer
    Skylight & chandelier above foyer
  • Interior courtyard facing front
    Interior courtyard facing front
  • View of rear annex across courtyard
    View of rear annex across courtyard
  • Juliette May Fraser murals in children's room
    Juliette May Fraser murals in children's room

References

  1. ^ "National and State Register of Historic Places" (PDF). State Historic Preservation Division. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 16, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2009.
  2. ISBN 0-8248-0524-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  3. ^ "History of the library". Hawaii State Public Library System. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  4. ^ Tachihata, Chieko (1981). The history and development of Hawaii public libraries: the libraries of Hawaii and Hawaii State Library, 1913-1971 (PhD). University of Southern California.
  5. ^ a b "Hawaii & Pacific Section: History of the Hawaii State Library". Retrieved May 15, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c HUNT, J. R. (1968). Library development in Hawaii. Wilson Library Bulletin, 42, 810–811.
  7. ^ a b "Hawaii State Public Library System".

External links

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