Hawaii State Public Library System – Waikiki-Kapahulu Library

I’m new to Hawaii and had to come here to print some documents (as I did not bring a printer with me from New Hampshire).
In order to use the computers here (or even obtain a login for a my own personal laptop), a Hawaii State Public Library System library card is required. And, in order to obtain a library card, you need a photo ID and a recent piece of mail as proof of residence in Hawaii. I got my library card and printed my documents.
It’s not the nicest library I’ve ever been to and I’m surprised they don’t offer guest passes to use the computers. However, I did accomplish what I set out to do here and that’s all I can ask for.

I recommend avoiding this library and going to Kaimuki instead. Mostly I do this because I get a bad vibe from the unhappy staff, namely the rules nazi (see other apt descriptions of her) and her unprofessional, disinterested manager.
4 librarians standing around with no one in line and they refuse the bend the silly, rigid rule, because it would be unfair to the non-​existent customers in line.
Sad, because ultimately, I’m the customer and the library staff are providing a service, but they’ve lost track of this somewhere along the way. The end result is erosion of their value proposition and abandonment from their customer base.

I agree with a previous reviewer that I never thought that I would use Unilocal to review a library. But alas, just like so many before me, I too have suffered the illogical wrath of the «Rules Nazi», as well as the manager.
I went in to get a new card. Got in line at 6:34pm. Library closes at 7. Was told that they do not process cards after 6:30. Gee, it would’ve been nice if you had mentioned this when you handed me the application earlier. And besides, I don’t see that «policy» posted anywhere so I truly believe they were just being lazy. I asked if they could make an exception since it was barely after 6:30 AND there was NO ONE in line. Rules Nazi responds: «You make exception one time, then you gotta make all the time!» (First off, how about the state hire people with better speaking skills to represent a place like a library). Anywho…
So I ask to speak to the manager, whom I could see in the back room gossiping and giggling with another young coworker. I ask her to make an exception, explaining the same thing about it being so close to 30min deadline and no one in line, yada yada. She laughs at me condescendingly while shaking her head and essentially repeats what Rules Nazi said. So I beg at this point because I had already gone out of my way to go there and fill out the app. She huffs in exhaustion as if she just had a long day working a 14hr shift as a neurosurgeon in the OR and says, «Well you better have the application filled out completely and a photo ID ready.» Wow, did I get you on the same day your broke-​a$$ boyfriend dumped your frumpy a$$ or something?
At the end of the day it’s not that deep for me because I love my life and my job so I never feel the need to be unnecessarily rude to people. It’s not my fault that the only way to make yourself feel better is to have a power trip in the only place you’re able to, which is a small, local public library. I really just wanted to share this amusing gem of a story with my fellow Unilocalers.

Great source for mainlanders staying in waikiki.
Free to locals, fair priced for tourists.
10 $ will get you a library card good for 3 months, or pay 25 $ for a 5 year card.
Free internet and printing at 15 cents a page.
Compare that to the $ 10/​hr fee at local internet cafes.
did i mention they have books too :-)

I think this is the most factual based library I have ever been to. I think that this place could be more of a tradesman’s place. The selection of books focuses on that thirst for practical knowledge. There isn’t an overt emphasis on mystery and sci-​fi. It is always interesting on how each library presents an alternate selection of books. I did like the expanded music library in a different section. It is open on Saturdays which is pleasant since the one near my house isn’t open on that particular day. It is a very nice building and the staff are always helpful.

This library is situated on the outskirts of waikiki. Anyways the outside of the building looks nice. Upon entering the sliding automatic door, there was this awkward feeling as I saw a woman at a desk staring at me. There’s a lot of empty space inside here. Can’t complain about the staff – they were super friendly with me and helped me get my first library card. The library is a tad old looking and dilapidated. Could use a renovation.

Location 4
Parking 4
Cleanliness 4
Resources 3
Computer access 4
Toilet 3.5
Younger Staff 4
Older established Staff :(2
Security Guard 3, could easily transition to the corrections system.
why 2 stars? Attitude, not friendly, feels like you are being given access to use their library. Focus on rules instead of service. I think management should change and older staff should retire.
They should look at Kaimuki Library or Manoa as examples. Not sure if homeless is problem but should not control management decisions or style.
The state runs the library, the tax payers fund the state so we are their employers. Unfortunately poor state workers are allowed to operate status quo and when a «rules nazi» is there so long she becomes that old mean guard dog and gets all worked up excessively. It sometimes is a broken system.
It still is a puzzlement why libraries need soooo many librarians.
Thank you Unilocal for being a place we can share our experiences.

It’s ok. I signed up for a library card for ease of a sit-​down computer experience browsing the interwebs. This is the most local library to Waikiki and yeah, it’s decent. It’s alright. Good parking off the side road.

I love this library! The staff are all very helpful, informative and very friendly.
When I read the reviews that aren’t so great I have to think these people making these posts must be very difficult to please.

I never thought I would be writing a review on a library, but alas here I am writing about the most horrible experience I had with at least 3 of the staff that works here, including Stephanie, the library manager.
I love reading books and I usually read e-​books, but sometimes the e-​books have a long hold or they are just not available. Once you get your library card, which you do in person proving your identity at any library, you’re able to hold and check-​out e-​books with their online system. Brilliant.
So let me just comment on my first time here. I came here, they scanned my phone, which is where I keep my library card on using an app called Key Ring, and I was able to get the book I had placed a hold for… easy breezy. Now keep in mind that I was able to use the key ring app and to be honest, I have been able to use this for quite some time in all the libraries I’ve gone to.
Since the book I wanted was not in an e-​book form, I had placed a hold on a certain book, my second time at this library. Since libraries are never open after you get off work, I decided to go during the day and return the book I already had and get the second book that was on hold for me. I thought it’d be an easy breezy process. Boy was I wrong. I get to the counter and return my book and ask for the hold. I give them my phone like all the other times I’ve done to scan my card and the guy quickly prompts «you need your physical card to check out the book.» I say «are you serious? this is what I’ve been using and I don’t have my physical card on me.» He starts to feel bad and consults another librarian working there. She gives me the same response. I ask for the manager. The manager is seriously one of the rudest people I’ve met. I try to explain to her that I’ve done this millions of times and I drove all the way out there to get the book that was on hold for me. I also tell her that online you can check out e-​books with no one checking if you have a physical card. You would think that was a valid point, but no, she feels the need to explain to me the definition of the word ‘card’ and tells me that since I don’t have it, I can’t check out the book. I told her that it doesn’t make any sense. she quickly feels the need to put words in my mouth and says stuff like «you can write to the governor about this» «you can go to another library» «you think libraries are stupid.» I kid you not, she actually said that. Since this library or all libraries in Hawaii charge you a $ 1 for not picking up your hold books, I ask if I can at least cancel my hold. She said «yes» and the guy said «you need your library card to cancel the hold» are you freakin kidding me?! you do know that I can go online and cancel the hold without showing anyone my physical card right? «she said we’ll go ahead and cancel it» to which I quickly prompted «you’re willing to overlook that rule. how convenient.» She basically just darted out of the room without saying anything… hmmm have I hit a nerve lady?
Now I know this seems a bit dramatic over a book, but it happened so quickly and it seemed like I had to say something. Rest assured, I didn’t walk out with a book without having a ‘physical’ card!
I know there are lots of worries about fraud, but is fraud really a concern? I mean it can easily happen with your physical card considering you don’t have to show an ID when you present your physical card to check out books. I also think you give me a keychain and a regular card. so already there’s reproduction: shock: did I just blow your mind?
To the librarians and the manager at this library I ask you one last question. if scanned cards and tickets are good enough for TSA and airline security, should you really be that concerned about a book? The world is moving. and its moving fast. Please update your systems.

I like this library. All the librarians are nice and friendly. I usually go here once or twice a week to borrow or return a book. The book selection is limited but with a library card, you can request a book you want online. I usually use this feature because the newer books are not available at this branch yet. Popular books has a waiting list so it depends on where you stand in the line. Books can be borrowed for as long as 3 weeks, except for the «Hot Pick» ones, which you can only borrow for a week.
I also rent DVDs here, rent fee is $ 1 for a week. Same with the books, you can also request/​reserve DVDs online too.
There are a lot of computers to use here. You must have a library card to use the computers. The ones with internet access are usually occupied but recently, they added 6 laptops, all with internet, so now there’s more computers to use. There’s also wifi here so you can bring your own laptop.
The lady security here watches everyone like a hawk. Don’t talk on your cellphone or eat inside or else she’ll scold you and ask you to go out. I saw her scold the people violating the rules.
I hope they do something with their outdoor. The grass surrounding the library is really dried out.

DO NOT CALL them over the phone. If it is an old man answering, he WILL be RUDE to the EXTREME. I received an email to confirm that one of the books were available to read, but I wanted to cancel in order to avoid paying a dollar for each day I didn’t come in to pick up.
He asked me for my library card number and rudely said that I need it after I asked him if there was any other way that he could find information about my order. After I explained that I did not have the library card at the moment he RUDELY said «well call back when you do» i replied «ok bye»
Other then that I have been going to this library since I was four years old and have never been spoken to in such a rude manner. This library is ok to study at and pick up books from, but be aware of your surroundings. There are a number of strange customers and security is extremely weak. Many homeless people like to hang around the area when the library is closed so be mindful when returning anything outside of library hours.

When you get a card, don’t forget to go on line. You can reserve books and/​or have them brought to Waikiki library. Everybody is so nice.

The library now has WiFi. Just get yourself a library card and you are good to go.

Still like the libararians at this branch very much. Nice people.
But they library system as a whole… well, it leaves me scratching my head and wondering why…:

I LOVE libraries. Despite using libraries in Hawaii — although I try to stay away from them here as much as possible since they are such a bummer. I have used six or seven different libraries, and here is what I have found —
$ fines for EVERYTHING — misplace your card? that’s ten bucks.
$ rules about EVERYTHING and signs and grumpy faces everywhere to remind you.
$ there are some really nice, helpful people that work there, despite everything, and there are some severely disturbed people that work there — they need to work on their personal issues before dealing with the public.
$ no nice, clean, friendly buildings here — mostly slummy, dirty sad little buildings.
$ The general feeling is that you are trying to borrow something from the grumpy old man down the street, not that you are being served by an institution that you own.
The system here seems to need a complete overhaul top to bottom — people that run it, work for it, and the buildings. Oh and the hours and days are very limited.