The first stop on our Public Library Tour was Kapolei! We met with Branch Manager, Stacie Kanno to talk about the unique role that the Kapolei Library plays in the Leeward community. I thought I knew quite a bit about how the system worked, but Stacie really enlightened me on some of the challenges libraries, especially the smaller ones, face from month to month.
What we immediately love about this location is the ample parking! Situated right across from the community park there are great sunset views and lots of open spaces to read outside! The cream stucco walls crowned by a patina, turquoise-colored roof and art deco accents are a welcoming preview to the same clean, straight lines you see inside as well.
The building itself:
Kapolei is the youngest of Oahu’s libraries and recently celebrated it’s 5th Anniversary. The first thing you notice about Kapolei is it’s size. Its definitely a bit larger than the other regional libraries. This is because it is meant to be an anchor for all West Oahu library services, a home base for the other Leeward locations and communities. It was built with expansion in mind, so that it can grow with the needs of Oahu’s fledgling second city. Indeed, there have been many new buildings and roads popping up around it over the last five years.
The land for the library was given to the state in trust by the Campbell Estate, that’s why the East Wing of this library is home to the James & Abigail Campbell reading room. The kahilis that adorn the second floor, adding majesty to this already grand location, were originally located in the Campbell board room before being donated. For history enthusiasts (Alex and I were excited to see it), the original land grant signed by King Kamehameha III is on display in a protected case.
Programs & Services:
Programs and seminars that the library sponsors are always free to community members. A benefit of having space is the ability to host larger events and exhibits. Because of their large lobby and outside areas, Kapolei often hosts cultural concerts and dance performances such as the upcoming choral presentation of the Na Kupuna Serenaders on Saturday the 19th. In 2009 alone, the Kapolei Library was host to TWO Smithsonian exhibits, “Produce for Victory” and “Key Ingredients” which were both widely received.
In addition to their daily services, including job resource assistance and online application aid, they recently started the Kapolei Public Library Book Club which meets once a month during the off hours of the library. Staff members volunteer to stay after so that the group can meet and discuss books without disturbing other patrons. They have the whole lobby to themselves and have a great time making friends and learning about literature. Right now they have about 15 people who attend but they’re always looking for more members (I’ve made a mental note to try and get out there for their meetings). They also implemented a program called “1st Wednesday” where special guests from community organizations come in and talk or host seminars.
Bigger libraries require more staff, and right now the Kapolei Library is fortunate enough to be fully staffed. That is why they are able to offer several adult and youth oriented programs a month. Smaller libraries that only have one or two librarians cannot offer as many services to the community or host as many programs. Stacie mentioned that Keiki Story time is very popular in locations across the state but it’s one of the hardest programs to keep going. That’s why the Kapolei Library rotates “Keiki Story time” with “Play Mornings”. Keiki Story time requires enough staff to maintain services and run the story time program simultaneously, but with “Play Mornings” parents can bring their kids in to play with educational toys, read together and socialize with other children. Even if it’s not story time, “Play Mornings” provide a consistent place and time for parents and keiki to visit the library. “We want parents to continue the habit of coming to the library even if there is no Keiki Story time”, Stacie explained. Ultimately it’s the library’s goal to add value to the community and its residents.
Stacie said its “a fun location, right in the center of it all!” It’s a branch similar to the State Library, but on the West-side so there’s no need to drive into town!
What makes Kapolei special:
Five years ago, the state library budget was struggling just as it is today. In fact, Kapolei Library faced the threat of closure before it even opened. Budget issues made it difficult to keep the library open long enough for people to visit and it was difficult for them to even get enough books to fill the shelves at that time. So how did they get to where they are now as one of the biggest, most active branches on the island? The community of course! The Kapolei Library should be renamed the “kokua” library because so much of what’s inside has been donated by patrons and staff members.
The gorgeous Hawaiian quilts that you see hanging from the banisters were all donated by staff members and their families. Although three of the big art pieces are on loan from HiSam (Hawaii State Art Museum) as a part of their Art in Public Places program, a few of the other big paintings were generously donated by patrons.
For example, the multi-sectional art piece with brilliant and bold colors depicting atropical scene in the audio-visual section was donated by Henry Pai. Happily pointing it out to us, Stacie recalled, “he said, ‘you have big walls and I have big art!’ so it really has been a community effort”. In fact, there is so much wall space that a portion of it is dedicated to bulletin boards where community information like Board Meetings, health and safety tips or event calendars can be found. There are also floor to ceiling, secured window displays near the stairwell where art and pottery is on exhibit and on the second floor a collection of cultural items from the Philippines, donated by staff members and their families (even the item write-ups were done by a staff member’s father who had come from the Philippines). “Of course we verified all the information, but he wrote it all himself!” Stacie said proudly.
They have certainly filled out in five years, boasting a collection of over 5,000 DVD’s and 4,000 CD’s (not counting audiobooks!)– there are even shopping baskets available for your carrying convenience. They have a microfilm section almost as big as the State Library with Star Bulletin and Honolulu Advertiser articles dating as far back as 1929 but I have to say, of all the things we saw at the Kapolei Library my favorite by far was the self-check-out station! It’s a little table next
to a monitor and scanner, with an official library date stamp!
“That way, people don’t have to wait in line if they don’t want to, but it’s mostly popular with the little ones who like to play librarian and stamp their own books!”
It’s so great to see this library thriving but Stacie says it’s been tough going and that the best way to support your library is to visit, volunteer or donate. The Kapolei Library accepts gently used educational toys, stuffed animals and books to use during “Play Mornings”. Since the HSPLS and ‘The Friends of the Library of Hawaii’ have teamed up to raise funds, its easier than ever to make a tax deductible monetary contribution. Check out this article for more info. And for some extra fun, this article about how your public library can help YOU save money.
“Our doors are wide open, anyone is welcome and we want people to come!”
Stacie’s Hawaiiana Book Recommendation:
Stacie is such an awesome librarian and administrator that when we warned her we would ask for a book rec for the blog, she selected a few of her favorite nonfiction Hawaiiana books and let us choose between them! No wonder she was named 2008 Librarian of the Year by the ‘Friends of the Library of Hawaii’.
And so, per Stacie’s enthusiastic recommendation, our book review from the Kapolei Library will be on The Maui Book of Lavender by Ali’i Chang, Lani Weigert and Jill Engledow (Watermark, 2008).
“It’s a fun mix of recipes, stories and all kinds of stuff about growing lavender on Maui, operating an agro-tourism business… and the pages are even lavender scented!”
That’s Stacie there in the picture above, posing with her book recommendation–but pay no attention to the man behind the curtain (me- in the orange shirt)! Check here for Kapolei Library hours of operation and information.
HBB would like to thank Stacie Kanno and the staff at the Kapolei library for their generosity in allowing us to visit and oggle at their exhibits. Stay tuned for a review of The Maui Book of Lavender. 🙂
