Hawaii State Public Library System – Manoa Library

Modern, lots of parking, and the staff is willing to help.

This library is great! It’s brand new so it’s a very nice and clean library. The best part about this library is that it is SO quiet! I feel ashamed when I drop something, that’s how quiet it is. It’s amazing for studying in that respect. There are also always tons of kids in the children’s books section, and props to their parents for having such well-​behaved kids because it’s still so quiet in there. I don’t usually borrow books, just use the space for studying, so I’m not sure what the selection is like. I do know however that all the libraries do inter-​library borrowing so I’m sure it’s possible to get whatever book you desire even if it’s not at Manoa.

After having frequented the libraries in town that are generally havens for the homeless, it was so refreshing to come to Manoa Library, which is how public facilities should be run and treated. The building is gorgeous and large. Free parking is available on the ground floor with the library upstairs. The restrooms are clean.
The library itself is very spacious, with lots of areas and comfortable chairs to read, study, and relax. Computer card catalogs are plentiful. The selection is excellent, as with any library in Hawaii, you can request items from anywhere in the state. DVD/​CD rental is available for $ 1/​week. There is a small book sale at the main door with low prices. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The library participates in many community outreach events and special reading days, be sure to check them out. Also, make sure to attend their book sales, they’re nicely run and comfortable to shop!
Excellent library!

This place is off the hook!!! What a great facility with a huge selection of books, wifi and more… check em out… you’ll be glad you did!

Basically– Brand New EVERYTHING!!!
The library is pretty new. They organized things the way they wanted them to be organized to help adults find what they want and Keiki enough room to get the books they want and lounge around without disturbing adults too much.
There are cool like little lanais that are off shoots of rooms.
The grounds are just beautiful compared to other state libraries.
There is covered parking that is not only ‘compacts’ that you just know you will get scratched at but not here– normal parking size parking stalls.
Friendly staff that are used to trying to help out– as in reading between the lines (less homeless problems). They are there to do what librarians do– help keiki get their homework done and adults find the book they wanted as quickly as possible.

Dear Manoa Library Employees,
If you are reading this please read a book on customer service. This is the second time we have received poor service from you. We wanted to return our child’s books which was before the time you opened. We didn’t know where the drop box was as it is not clearly visible from the street as bushes are blocking it. Your young chubby girl (employee) with dark hair who was listening to her ipod was outside collecting books from the drop box and could not be bothered by us even when she clearly saw us standing there. She just casually walked back into the library and let the doors close behind her. SHE NEEDS A «How To» lesson on customer service more then anyone. Also, I’m sure the elderly would appreciate a large sign that says «BOOK DROP BOX HERE» above it being that Manoa valley has an older generation of people living there. Your hours of operation are also hard to see from behind the gate and I have ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision! Come on people… GET IT TOGETHER!!!

It’s a shame that this library is not family friendly. There is a children’s section but it is not separate from the rest of the library. The regular patrons complain if a child speaks above a whisper, which brings a scolding about «library voices» from the security guard and an invitation to leave the library.
I’m not sure what kind of adult asks for a child to be removed from the Library. Many in Manoa, apparently.

I really love the new library. I used to go to the old library as a kid after school but stopped when I started going to the state library more. I liked it better cause it was bigger and there was just more to choose from. But I finally got to visit the new manoa one and I have to say they did a very good job with renovations. I love the new parking they have even though it does get kind of crowded at times. But inside is really nice. There’s even a quiet room that I love, it really does help me study when I need to. It’s really a nice library and the staff is some what friendly. Lots of little kids and their parents and families. I guess it’s because a lot of older kids would rather just go to the UH library. Anyways yeah this is a really good library is you need a place to study!

I must say that this is the only library that I enjoy coming to. The library is very neat, clean and peaceful, compared to other public libraries. The only thing I find disappointing about this library is the lack of parking stalls available on certain days. I really enjoy this library and it’s a great place to study for exams for sure!

Nice and cool. The toddler area was okay (I didn’t see that many toys, just books). I was hoping to catch a toddler storytime here but it’s on summer session until July. Nice cool free AC

Manoa Library is rather impressive from what it was before. Before it only had a small space. It was more of a house than anything else.
Now Manoa Library is very environmentally friendly with new everything once you find parking. There is a massive section for books to the right. Then there are other rooms within the giant building for other things. I was rather surprised that a children’s reading room has been incorporated into it. Parking may and can be difficult. It also sits near a school so one has to be mindful of the amount of children that might be in the place.

I had all five kids with me, during the summer, the day I set off on another library adventure. There were high expectations on my part of being met with a kid-​friendly library in the heart of Manoa where education is given such laud and honor. My anticipation still grew as we parked in the below stairs parking and took the elevator up-​all holding hands and descending as a troop.
Echoing foyer upon alighting. Immediately shushed by woman at front desk as twins decided it was time to exclaim exuberantly their arrival. Relegated to a small section where I felt if we made a noise over a whisper or stepped out of the children’s racks an alarm was going to go off.
I would have left with nothing of redemption to report except a librarian found me hiding in the racks with the younger three and invited me to come back for storytime on a different day. At least an invitation, but the hint was taken. The older kids hurriedly grabbed books off the shelves as we made our way back to the front.
Since that first visit I have since been back to the Manoa library as a registered storytime attendee. Yes, Manoa is the only Oahu library that asks for registration to attend their weekly storytime. The pros of this particular storytime is that the group meets in a room with floor to ceiling windows into the foyer and a door that is kept closed during the duration of the storytime. This is a benefit to containing children who like to wander and look for available and interesting exits. Boundaries can be a great thing for kids.
So, I’ve given Manoa two stars but would give it another ½ star if It could be selected.

did someone below say that Manoa PL will be the first Public Library to seek LEED certification?! That’s a big fat NO.
Kohala Public Library obtained LEED GOLD a year prior which was completed ON TIME, and on budget… being that the 2 libraries were advertised for bid at the same time.
Manoa PL is alright.

I’m from Mililani and just recently moved to Kaimuki. I used to go to the Mililani Public Library, which is okay, but has some really cranky and rude staff, so Iike to avoid that place as much as possible.
From there I tried to make my new library go-​to the Kaimuki Public Library. Except when I tried going there it was completely closed down. There was a sign that said it would be closed during January but it was February when I drove by. What gives?
So I decided to try Manoa Public Library instead. After all, I’m a UHM student, so it’s not too far out of my way.
I was pretty blown away at how clean this place is! Also the desk workers were all really friendly to me. I happened to go on Chinese New Year to drop off my old books and pick up some more, and they gave me a cute red envelope with a Chinese proverb about reading on the inside. It was a really cute gesture. I always bring a reusable bag with me because I tend to borrow a lot of books at a time. Also, the free Wifi is always a plus.
The only thing is I wish this place was open for more hours in a day, or at least open on Sundays so that I could study here, but I guess that’s what Sinclair is for.
So far I haven’t been disappointed with their selection, but I don’t go to the library to look for literature or anything academic — I use the library to get away from that type of reading. I usually go for the YAF section or general Fiction section to give my brain a break from all the textbooks. So far it’s been quite relaxing. I’ve been back several times since the day I discovered it and I still love it :)

I can’t comment on the inventory in the library, but I came here as an alternative study spot when my regulars were full. It’s bright, clean, and there are a good number of study carrels (about 8 shared laptop stations between you and one other person), and lots of tables that sit four easily (probably around 12 – 15 tables).
The tables are a bit strange in terms of proportions, they’re just a hair short, as if they were tables that children can grow into but for some reason just a bit off for adults. I felt a little bit like Alice in Wonderland when she’s growing and shrinking and the world doesn’t fit quite right, or Goldilocks and the three bears but she doesn’t find a «just right» version. I’m making mountains out of molehills though, since the table had a large work surface and I felt just fine after I sat down.
The chairs are uncomfortable – just hard wood, but the lighting is great, and it’s a quiet space. Lots of kids come and work on homework with older siblings and/​or parents.
Good deal of parking beneath the library, and there are two spots designated for EV (electric vehicle) drivers! No charger, but it’s nice. Head upstairs to get to the library. It’s not as cozy as Aina Haina library, it really feels like a hush hush indoor voices strict clean librarian library, if you know what I mean.
I couldn’t spend all day here (my bum would not forgive me if I did) but in a pinch, it works as a study spot!
Wifi is free if you have your library card number.

Pretty library. Well, what do you expect when the library is located in one of the most upscale neighborhoods on the entire island? Nice amount of parking on the ground floor. After parking, take the stairs up to the second floor. Fairly large main room with books and computers. There’s another small room off the main room, which has DVDs and CDs you can borrow. It looks like there’s a large meeting room there, perhaps for community meetings and such. There were many shelves that were almost empty, but the good news is, there is lots of room to grow.
The librarians were very friendly, professional, and helpful. Best of all, even if you are not rich enough to live in Manoa, you can still borrow books, DVDs and CDs from this library! I’m not kidding, they’ll let you do this; they won’t even check your credit report first. Just let them swipe your state library card and away you go! Who says the lower middle class don’t have a place in our country? The public library is one of the last bastions of equality in society today, and I am so grateful! Check it out! Oh, it’s not like Starbucks though, so leave your caffeinated beverage outside in your understated groovy (albeit expensive) Nissan Leaf or Toyota Prius!

Library is brand spaking new, kinda the new car feeling but that’s just about it as far as the good. Of course anything new will be fun and give one the giddy feelings however once you get past that and really look at the substance it gives a lot to hope for.
The parking can really bite at times. The stalls are very limited and quite small if there are trucks and SUVs. Ok the good about the parking lot is that there are 2 book/​audio drop boxes, YES its great that you can put audio and dvd in the drop box. One is located near the entrance of the garage but its on the outside which is good because once the garage roll gates come down you can still return books/​cds/​dvds. The other one is at the exit of the garage.
Entering the Library you will see the bay of computers that are available to do what ever you do on the public computers. What sticks out too is the VERY empty book shelves… I know there is or was a big book sale done by the friends of the library but maybe they should have kept some and put more books on the shelves.
The DVD and CD area is VERY limited. Actually the DVDs seem like there are quite a lot of them, the CDs are very limited. Dont expect to find much of a selection. I just go online and request things and pick them up at Manoa.

Yester I took my sister to Manoa Library because she has been cooped up in thehouse since school let out. So to prevent her from going crazy, we came to Manoa.
Manoa library had a huge transformation. Everything is very nice and clean. I mean of course since they just opened. give it several months and it can lose all that.
Pros:
Free wifi
Good amount of tables and chairs to work on
Parking is under the library (library is 2 stories)
Cons:
Although there is parking under the library, it is limited both height and quantity. Luckily I have a corolla so it’s no problem for me but I can imagine people with suv’s having a very hard time.
Also, I understand that the library was renovated but while taking my sister to the library. there was not much selection from her to choose from. They either had really old books from when I was her age (maybe even older) to books that are fairly new. We were able to find some books but still. I can only hope they are still trying to get some books brought over from storage.
I enjoy this library because the parking is more convenient from the Main library (although they have some fairly good books). If you’re like me and hate circling around for street parking, then anything else except the main branch is good for me.
**
Oh! What I forgot to add (kind of random actually) is that they have a self check out station. Just one computer and they walk you through. My sister and I were standing in line waiting to check out. saw the computer and rushed over to play with it. It made me flashback to elementary school where you would get selected to be a library aid for the day.

As far as facelifts go, the completely renovated Manoa public library had an excellent surgeon! The new two-​story facility boasts a covered parking garage, elevators to the main floor, several meeting rooms (available for a fee), and an open layout with work stations. laptop stations with internet access (free one-​hour session), and seating areas.
What struck me the most is that the bookshelves looked almost empty. When I asked why, I was told it’s because they now have so many shelves. Since I’m the type of person who pulls out a book from a tight space and about half a dozen fall noisily to the ground, this is a good thing.
New books — a.k.a. Hot Picks — are easily found in the end aisle shelves but here’s the cool thing … you can actually reserve books online by going to
. Then, when you come in, the books are waiting for you at checkout. Things sure have changed for the better since I last stepped into a library a couple of decades, ahem, I meant «a long time» ago.
Another example, you can also do self check-​out at a designated station. Just put your library card under the thin red line (you’ll understand when you see it!), then enter your PIN, then swipe the book’s ID and place it spine down in the «V» space, now wait for the receipt. Easy peasy. Only took me about a dozen tries before I figured it out.
If you don’t have a library card or the last time you used it was 20 years ago, you can apply for a new one as long as you have a valid photo ID. It’s also free so long as you don’t have any outstanding overdue charges.
The Manoa library didn’t feel crowded, mainly because I went during the early afternoon on a weekday, so I found it fairly quiet but also strangely warm. Still, that didn’t stop me from spending 3 hours walking through the stacks staring at book spines with my head tilted until my neck started to ache. I ended up leaving with three heavy cookbooks plus a slim paperback, and will be back — after all, the books are due in two weeks!

WOW! The new Manoa library just opened a few days ago and it looks great! It’s been a long time coming. 3 years? The new library has several cool additions:
— Double the space for patrons, collections, computers and parking. It’s now a two story facility instead of a single story. You park on the ground level and take the stairs or elevators up to the second level.
— Covered parking, with even a couple stalls reserved for hybrid/​electric cars.
— Free wifi.
— Laptop station for browsing the internet or searching the library collections.
— Large desks/​carousels for reading and working.
— Solar panels.
— Landscaping with native plants.
— Conference/​event room.
We’ll be taking our girls here often!