Hawaii State Public Library System – Salt Lake-Moanalua Library

My children and I frequently visit this library and have never encountered any discourteous treatment. Unfortunately, during our last visit I was told that I would need to update my address in order to be allowed to borrow books. During all of our visits I was never told this at the check out counter. The older man who told us this (and checked us out the last time) was rather short and rude in his tone in front of myself and my children. I told him that I have never been notified by phone/​in person of this new
requirement. His only response was they «only tell us.» Well, if they only tell you, then do a better job informing the library patrons. and why are you only telling me now when you could told me the last time?!
We walked away in disbelief. We were disappointed with the lack of respect and communication given by this man. I hope that the rest of the library staff has a better sense of how to treat the library patrons respectfully. Very sad and disappointed!!! :(

They’re open until 7pm on certain days, parking is abundant, there are four computers with internet access and several laptop charging stations. The security guard takes her job VERY seriously («NO RUNNING!») and each librarian was very helpful. I love this place.

Rowdy kids, indoor phone calls & drinks on the table (even its bottled water) won’t be found here. The security guard may seem mean, but she’s the best at enforcing even the meekest of rules. It’s a good thing because you’ll be quietly thanking her when school’s out at the elementary school next door. Don’t let the long line of cars intimidate you from visiting this library after school hours. The street entrance is shared with the elementary school so let the parking attendant know you’re visiting the library & they’ll remove the cone blocking the designated library parking lot to the right. During this time, exit will also be one-​way, merging with the school traffic.
I haven’t borrowed any books here, but I’ve perused their shelf tops of free informative brochures & leaflets about services in the community from continuing education courses at UH Manoa’s Outreach College & basic computer classes for senior citizens at Honolulu Community College to tax services & PBS Hawaii’s TV listing. It’s the best place to find out more information about events & services happening in & around your neighborhood.
Did you know you can get a lot out of a library card? Free Wi-​Fi is available on site by signing in with your library card number. You can also borrow e-​books online without having to go to the library. I’d recommend taking advantage of the E-​Learning Center on Hawaii State Public Library System’s website where you can take free online language lessons or even take professor-​led online courses on a wide range of subjects. So what’re you waiting for? Get dat library card!

Great quaint little library in the heart of Salt Lake. Right across from Soons. It’s a nice place for the kids to go and study. Just a great place to go in general. Lot’s of stuff for the kids to do and the resources are good as well. I highly recommend taking your keiki here.

This library is pretty large compared to some of the ones I’ve seen in other states. They have ample parking (however, I’ve never been there during school dismissal) in the front and on the side. It’s clean, quiet, and the staff is very friendly. They just changed their hours, so now they’re open Monday through Saturday. I also love that they’re open until 7 twice a week. I’ve stopped in to pick up books after school has let out, and it seems that many students hang out here waiting to be picked up. However, it’s still quiet inside (just don’t try to find a table to sit at). Overall, one of the better libraries I’ve been to.

The staff is very friendly here and it is pretty easy in and out if you go at the right time. I would give it five stars but the opening hours are strange. The inside of the library is very spacious and all the shelves laid out in very accessible ways. I love the Hawaii State Library system and you can pretty much get any book you want delivered to your local branch. This branch has a lot of activities for the kids and a huge kids section that takes up practically half of the library.

This is a reivew for its study atmosphere rather than its materials:
It’s alright as far as libraries go. It was very quiet, cool, and easy to study here until the school aross the parking lot let out. Then studiers beware: it gets extremely crowded and filled with kids killing time before their parents pick them up.
I also got «in trouble» because I had water sitting out on my table. Apparently the «no food or drinks law» extends to water as well. It was hot as heck that day, and its frustrating that to drink water I would have to leave my laptop and expensive testing study materials alone to use the water fountain by the bathrooms. Either that or you’d have to carry it all with you and risk losing your spot.
Also, you need a library card to be able to get onto the wifi :(

Parking: 10 parking stalls right in front of the library or there’s more to the side of the building. Avoid when school gets out cause it is a way way in and one way out.
PROS:
–free wifi as long as you have a library card.
–4 computers and 5 laptops that you can use that have internet access (library card needed). 1hour limit
–borrow up to 10 CDs or DVDs at a time. $ 1/​DVD for a week. No cost to CDs for 21 days
–lots of tables to sit at just avoid when school gets out.
–very clean
–test proctor available here. Needs to be scheduled in advance and there is a fee of $ 10.
–story time available every Friday at 10:30am unless stated otherwise.
CONS:
–can’t bring your own water bottle. Must only drink at water fountain.
–gotta be extra quiet.

Why do I always feel like the oldest person in the library if you don’t count the staff or parents who look bored? Is it because I am a child trapped inside a young man’s body? Is it because there is not a large amount of people inside? Whatever the reason may be, this library is a great place to get lost in.
Libraries have so much knowledge and useful information inside of them, but I feel like not as many people take advantage of them as they should. I know the Internet is commonplace, but the feeling of a real, bound book comforts me for some reason.
When it comes to amenities, Salt Lake Moanalua is new, clean, and has all the best features a library could offer. These include: books, free WiFi if you have a library card, magazines, newspapers, movies, and lots of staff members who are willing to assist. I have gotten tests proctored here, and the proctor is always polite and willing to help with the process. If you are looking for this service, be prepared to pay $ 10 (a very reasonable fee). Overall, this library is one of the nicer ones I have been to on the island; and that makes me proud to be a card carrying Hawaii State Public Library System member. I would recommend this library.

After visiting various public libraries around the state, I can say I like this library the best. I like the security guard here, she keeps the kids and check, and makes sure people are quiet.

This is the library i visit the most. The selection is limited, but i just find what im looking for from another library in the system and get it delivered there for pick-​up. I’ve always had great experiences with the staff. I’ll probably start doing my homework there to remove myself from the distractions at home.

Ok, the down and dirty of it all is that this is a library situated near schools for the young’ns; that means that it can get quite loud and crowded around the time school lets out. It seemed to me as if their YA section was the most extensive and built up section of the library, which is fine, as I said. schools. Also fine because I enjoy YA books from time to time.
Upon my first visit I went to the Sci-​Fi/​Fantasy section, what a disappointment! It was pushed back to a far wall where the selection was… sad. The books that were on those few shelves looked like they were sun bleached and had seen better days, I couldn’t find anything that had recently come out either. That being said, they do offer to order in the book you’re looking for from another library [providing it is available of course] so if you can wait a few days you’ll be fine. Drop-​off is easy peasy, you don’t even have to walk in or down the stairs, there is a nice little protuberance coming out of the ground that will om-​nom-​nom all the books you want to return.
All you free Wi-​Fi lovers out there rejoice! Kind of. You need to have a library card to gain access to the free Wi-​Fi, but that’s really not so bad.
The last time I visited I was looking to make copies, however the machine was out of order. The security on duty told me it happens from time to time.
Aside from your regular lurkers and energized kids this seems to be a decently quiet place to peruse through the shelves. Chairs and tables scattered throughout. Friendly staff, their patience seems to shorten a bit when the kids are out of school though.

this library has a good selection of ya books, children’s books and cds. i’ve only borrowed a few adult things, but their selection seems a bit small for that. on the up side, as with any public library, you can request just about ANYTHING and they will have it delivered to your library of choice! and even the friends of the library stuff for sale selection is great! the staff here is wonderful — helpful and pleasant — and the hours are wonderful as well — open 4 weeknights out of 5 until 7pm. what more could you ask for? oh yes, the offerings for kids of all ages, and for adults as well — so well-​rounded! zhan is my favorite librarian (shh! don’t tell the others!) — she is youngish, enthusiastic (well, to be fair, they all are!) and so fun! come visit this library — it doesn’t look like much on the outside, but it is well-​maintained, well-​stocked, and is run by a great bunch of folks who care. honestly, what more could you ask for?

I remember going to this library as a youngin’ — borrowing books only to return them a week or two later at the conveniently located drop box with my mom.
The staff is very friendly and easy to work with. I’ve been coming back recently to post up/​take down artwork there. They were gracious enough to allot the space needed for display. Speaking of, there is no shortage of artwork. Whether in the form of paintings and drawing on the wall or sculptures encased in plexiglass, they’re all stunning additions to the library.
From the general layout, it’s very spacious and well-​organized. The circulation counter is to the right coming in, and the restrooms and computers to the left. When walking in, your eyes go straight to the windows — which, by the way, is floor-​to ceiling. There’s not much of a view to look at, considering a quarter of it is wall. The sunlight gives it the extra punch. There’s a Children’s area where live reading is conducted.
Library Hours are great. Some days may run to 7 PM. Its busiest hours are 1 – 3 PM because school’s just ended.
Parking: Good, but get real busy.
Accessibility: Right next to everyday conveniences.

I love libraries! Local community assets! This branch is my local neighborhood one. Unfortunately probably due to budgetary constraints, this branch isn’t open on the weekend. The hours during the week are reasonable — with a later start and end on Tues and Thurs for people who work regular hours. Free wi-​fi is available although I think there are certain areas for suggested seating. When I first moved to this neighborhood before getting settled into my apt and job, I’d walk or bike to the library to hang out, do some reading, and take advantage of the free wi-​fi. Movies are available for renting but I prefer Netflix or Red Box. Might have to stop by library soon to pick up some light reading! Getting tired of my pharmacotherapy books!

Visited this branch of the library system the other day to get some work/​studying done. Library was selected for its free WIFI and central location. Lots of parking. Pretty big central reading/​study area with lots of tables. I selected one of the carrels in the periodic room as it was removed from the larger area. Nice and quiet until school got out and the students started to arrive. For the most part they were well behaved but some weren’t as courtious.
Since this was the first time I had set foot in a library in many years I was surprised at the REDUCED hours!
In all its a nice well run place and I will keep it on the list when I need a quiet spot — just need to avoid the after school hours.

Located a stone’s throw away from the Salt Lake shopping center is a library many children, myself included, would visit when they needed to work on a project — the Salt Lake Moanalua Public Library.
I was impressed when I walked in, as the library has barely changed from what I remember as a child. In general, the library is very nice and clean. The years have been kind to this library and the caretakers and maintenance workers must work hard to keep it this way.
One of the big things this library gets major points for is the children’s section, which takes up around half of the library’s floor. Bring the kids and find something to keep them busy over Summer break or any other time of the year. They’ve even got books that you yourself may have read as a child. Superfudge? My Teacher is an Alien? How to Eat Fried Worms? They’re here and more!
With many of the university and college libraries closed over the summer, this is a good substitute as they have tables for groups to work together, separate kiosks for students to work by themselves and best of all, free Wi-​Fi! They have a quiet room as well if your like me and need silence to read, but being that it’s located near the restrooms there are some disturbances from time to time, but they’re usually short and forgivable.

Two awesome things you should know about Salt Lake-​Moanalua Public Library:
First, it’s one of two public libraries (Kaneohe Public Library being the other) in the state of Hawai’i that has free wi-​fi access. That’s an awesome luxury which makes this library a great place to study and do research.
Second, their specialty collection is everything martial arts. They have tons of martial arts books, from instructional to philosophical to entertaining and they also have quite an extensive martial arts DVD collection. The branch manager is an avid martial arts practitioner (as well as Hawaiiana expert) and has really created a great collection here for that.
Aside from that, it has a great centralized location (if you’re coming from or going to the airport this is the nearest library) and drive-​thru book drop. It may not have the most extensive collection inside, but it has a wide variety of materials and its unique perks make up for any shortcomings.

I’m always looking for free, educational or stimulating things to do with my toddler and recently another mother turned me on to Story Time at Salt Lake Moanalua Library. I was totally blown away it and we go as often as we can when we are free on Friday mornings.
The guy that runs this particular story time is definitely an over achiever (and I say that in the most endearing way)! In one hour, he manages to read about 2 stories, puts on a light-​shadow show, performs a puppet show, sings a bunch of songs with his guitar and does a craft at the end of it all (it’s all cut out and prepared ahead of time so the kids just have to assemble it)…and it all ties into the «theme» of the day, whatever it may be.
He may not be the best story teller but you know that he puts so much effort into each week’s story time, and all the kids LOVE it, including my 20 month old. You know how hard it is to keep a 20 month old’s attention for an hour? Well, this guy does it!
This story time happens every Friday at 10:30 am. The place gets PACKED, so I suggest coming a little earlier. I once came around 10:25 and could not find parking, so I had to park on the street and walk over and by the time I got there, it was half over. Everyone sits on the floor so don’t wear a dress or a skirt. This is one free activity for your keiki that is well worth it!

I don’t have a printer at home, so if I need to print stuff, I either go to Fed Ex /​Kinko’s but they’re getting expensive.
Here’s an alternative:
The library is a great resource for free 1 hour internet usage and offers printing for 15 cents a page. You can also call ahead of time to reserve a spot so you don’t have to wait.
I also picked up some DVDs for $ 1 per week. they are recent ones too, i.e. Pirates of the Caribbean (latest one).