Bento Rakugo will be featured performers for "Dig into Reading," the 2013 HSPLS Children's Summer Reading Program, at 11 selected public libraries on the Big Island, Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu from June 5 to July 17.  Admission is free. 

Bento Rakugo, a dynamic group led by artistic director Yasu Ishida, will perform in the traditional Rakugo (Japanese translation: "fallen words") storytelling style with a modern twist to the Japanese comedy.  Rakugo is one of the most popular forms of Japanese theatre, with a tradition spanning more than 300 years.  In Rakugo, the performer presents a comic story while sitting on a Japanese cushion throughout the entire performance, speaking all of the voices in both the first person and third person.  All stories will be spoken in English. 

Experience Rakugo traditional-style Japanese storytelling with Bento Rakugo at these libraries:

Read more...

The Hawaii State Public Library System's (HSPLS) patron database will undergo a purge of inactive accounts on Monday, June 3.  Removing these accounts will provide an updated, more accurate database for our business and management uses. Inactive accounts are accounts with expired library cards and:

* No borrowed library material in the past five (5) years and

* No outstanding items, charges or fees; and/or

* Whose card holders are former residents who have relocated from Hawaii 

The record of a patron who has not borrowed library material in the past five (5) years or more may be purged.  Patrons who visit their local library, present their library card, and discover that their record has been purged can reactivate their card, free-of-charge, by completing a new library card application form and presenting it with their card and valid identification.  The database clean-up procedure will not affect currently active library patrons.

Internet computer users who do not borrow materials and only use their library card to access the library system's Internet stations or subscription databases remotely, may notice that their accounts have been purged.  These patrons can reactivate their accounts, free-of-charge, by completing a new application form and presenting it with their card and valid identification at any HSPLS library. 

Celebrate Hawaii State Library's 100th Birthday Party on May 18     

Hawaii State Library, the flagship of the Hawaii State Public Library System, is currently celebrating its Centennial Anniversary and will present a Special Birthday Party on Saturday, May 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

The Library, located at 478 South King Street, will kick off the party at 9:30 a.m. featuring a performance of Scottish bagpipes and dancers, in honor of millionaire philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who contributed $100,000 to build the new library which opened on February 1, 1913.  In addition, there will be Chinese Lion and Dragon Dances to ensure good fortune for the Library in the next 100 years. 

There will be a variety of free programs, activities, centennial balloons, and lucky drawings for the whole family throughout the day including a Children's Storytime with balloon sculpting by "Uncle Dwain," a photo opportunity with Star Wars costumed characters from the Pacific Outpost of the 501st Imperial Legion, a Miss Vamp and Count Dracula Read Aloud: Tales of Blood!, Hanafuda Hawaii-Style, Airbrush Tattoos by Tribal Tattoos, origami crane-folding, online database training, Library Wheel of Fortune, birthday cake and refreshments.  Please visit www.librarieshawaii.org for a complete listing of programs and activities. 

Contact the Library as soon as possible if a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation is needed.  For more information, please call the Hawaii State Library at 586-3500. 

Join the HSPLS Summer Reading Programs @ your Library

Readers of all ages are invited to participate in the 2013 Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) Summer Reading Programs which will be conducted from June 2 through July 6.  Registration for the free five-week programs at public libraries begins on Tuesday, May 28.   Contact your local public library for starting dates and guidelines. 

Participants who visit their local library and read at least one book per week are eligible to receive a free weekly reading incentive, while supplies last.  In addition to reading, the programs will feature performances by outstanding storytellers and artists. Performance programs will be highlighted in the June issue of Holo I Mua, HSPLS website: www.librarieshawaii.org, Facebook at www.facebook.com/HSPLSHIgov, and Twitter at www.twitter.com/HSPLSHIgov.

This year's programs and themes are:

Read more...