Hawaii State Public Library System – Wahiawa Library

I’m a fan of libraries and my local library in Wahiawa is awesome :) It’s not perfect, but I still love it :)
Yes as many other patrons have Unilocaled, the parking isn’t the greatest. Some stalls seem to be smaller than others but there is always street/​meter parking if the lot is full. The hours work great for me as on Tuesday-​Thursday they are open to 8pm which means I can pick up my DVDs after work :)
The librarians are cordial, and I’ve learned the official «librarians» are the two males who work there while the women are the «aides». I didn’t really know the difference, but I prefer the women as they seem very welcoming. One of the women there (whose name I don’t know… I’m shy and don’t always introduce myself), knows me and always has my DVDs waiting for me.
Speaking of DVDs, that is the thing I love about our libraries. Yes most people now have Kindles, but I still enjoy reading a real book. Also, they have an eLibrary for digital downloads (have yet to try) and you can borrow movies from the library as well. They are pretty good about ordering new releases and it only cost $ 1 to borrow it for a week. Sure there is a wait list often times, but really…$ 1 for a week? I’m down. :)
I can’t wait to pick up World War Z, The Conjuring, and Big Bang Theory :)

Wahiawa is a very old, small town so I don’t expect a really fancy library with the newest technology or the newest books but what I found truly funny was the parking lot. There are only a few stalls and most of the cars there belong to library staff.
I took a picture of a sign I saw outside today that said «Parking for Library Staff and Patrons ONLY! OTHERS = Please park Somewhere Else! Last Day 4−11−13»…and I shudder to think that this is the last day for… a warning? Will they tow? TP your car? Tape pictures of David Hasselhoff all over your windshield? Hmmm…
Service was SLOW today. I stood like a statue at a non-​manned check out desk only to have this weird lady at another table keep looking over at me. I know this is a small town and everyone knows each other, but for some reason I kept thinking she actually WORKED there and was blatantly ignoring me by pretending to be a parking library patron.
Slowly, after about five minutes a woman came out of the shadows to assist me. I was starting to think I need to donate one of those bells that go «DING» for the front desk so they know people are waiting.

NEW LIBRARY HOURS (Effective March 4, 2013):
Mon. Closed
Tue. 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wed. 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thur. 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sun. Closed

I also grew up going to this library. It’s a great neighborhood library and I would frequent here a lot as a child. I would get here either by bus, by foot, by car, alone, with the ‘ohana, by myself etc. The librarians knew me by name and were very friendly and helpful. I have very fond memories of going there and reading and also being read to. I would participate in their summer reading programs and would just immerse myself in the love of reading. Just like what the reviewer Wendie said, «thank you Wahiawa Library for supporting my reading habit» since I started reading :)

I grew up in this Library, and it may not have a huge selection of books, so i always order books online and have them delivered there and pick them up. My son always has a stack of books when he leaves and the librarians know him by name. It’s a great resource for a very limited community. I love that it is open late 2 nights a week, and I love that I HAVE a library in my neighborhood– not every community does. Also, considering how many lower income people utilize the library– it’s very important to have here in Wahiawa. i try and support it as much as i can. Other more wealthier communities may have bigger stalls or more of a reference selection– but for Wahiawa, i’m glad it’s there and available to me. Don’t knock it– when you need it and it’s no longer there for you– you’ll wish you had your super small bad parking library back. Thank you Wahiawa Library for supporting my reading habit since age 10 and encouraging my son’s reading habit since age 3. He’s 11 now and loves your Library! :)

super small library. parking is horrible. if you can even find it. the stalls are super small. not a fan at all. i think i’ve only gone to this library twice. and it will stay at twice. don’t plan on going back.
it’s not really the selection, but they don’t have that many good resource books. it’s more for leisure reading.