Hawaii State Public Library System
The Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) is a state-government-operated public library network operating 51 branches across all six major Hawaiian islands, serving all Hawaii residents free of charge with physical and digital collections, accessibility services, and community programming funded by state appropriations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1911
- HeadquartersHonolulu, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Hawaii State Public Library System does
Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) is the statewide public library system of the State of Hawaii, operated as a state government entity. The system was established in 1959 upon Hawaiian statehood, though a predecessor library was founded in 1911. It operates 51 branch locations across all six major Hawaiian islands (Oahu, Hawaii Island, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai), supplemented by bookmobile services on Maui and Molokai to reach communities without nearby branches. Headquarters are at the Hawaii State Library at 478 South King Street in Honolulu. The system serves all Hawaii residents free of charge via library card access, with no subscription fees for core services including physical and digital borrowing, computer/Wi-Fi access, programs, and meeting rooms. Specialized units include the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (96,977 talking books at the Kapahulu Avenue facility), the Hawaiʻi & Pacific Section, the Hawaiʻi Documents Center (state/federal depository), and lending collections for seeds and ʻukuleles.
HSPLS's product surface spans physical collections (2.99M+ books, 113K+ CDs, 165K+ DVDs, newspapers, magazines, sheet music, yearbooks) and digital collections (54K+ eBooks, 14.8K+ audiobooks, 3K+ eMagazines, 6K+ PressReader newspaper titles, 3,300+ Korean eBooks via Kyobo, plus Kanopy streaming). The underlying technology stack is built on commercial platforms: a Sirsi online catalog (both legacy ipac1.librarieshawaii.org and a new hawaii.sdp.sirsi.net interface), OverDrive/Libby for digital lending, EBSCO, Gale (Cengage), and ProQuest for nearly 100 licensed research databases, Mango Languages for 70+ language courses, LearningExpress Library, Gale Courses for continuing education, Beanstack for reading-challenge tracking, and ezproxy for remote authentication. Services include research assistance, custom research (fee-based, minimum $60 + $60/hr), interlibrary loans, passport acceptance, and proctored exams at select branches. Annual programming features the Summer Reading Challenge, book clubs, storytimes, and the newly added Hawaiʻi AI Safety Week (2025).
HSPLS operates as a public agency whose funding derives primarily from State of Hawaii tax appropriations and federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The system has no commercial revenue stream; the only revenue-generating activity of note is fee-based custom research services. Strategic partnerships include OverDrive (digital content), Music for Life Foundation (ukulele lending), FINRA Investor Education Foundation (financial literacy), Hawaiian Electric (emergency preparedness), Friends of the Library of Hawaii (statewide fundraising), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (federal funding). Marketing is conducted via the librarieshawaii.org website and social channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube @hsplshigov), supplemented by community events and school/library partnerships. The entity has received multiple digital-communications awards (2017–2018) including WebAwards, W3, Davey, and Communicator Digital Distinction awards.
Hawaii State Public Library System firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hawaii State Public Library System
- Legal name
- Hawaii State Public Library System
- Website
- https://librarieshawaii.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1911
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) is a state-government-operated public library network operating 51 branches across all six major Hawaiian islands, serving all Hawaii residents free of charge with physical and digital collections, accessibility services, and community programming funded by state appropriations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hawaii State Public Library System industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library-Based Learning Programs (Public Libraries) (EDAAAFAA), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)
Keywords
Where Hawaii State Public Library System is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Honolulu
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Hawaii State Public Library System business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Public Funding (Tax Revenue): As a state government agency, the Hawaii State Public Library System is primarily funded through state tax revenues and federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free access for all Hawaii residents |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Hawaii State Public Library System product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Hawaii State Public Library System provides free public library services to Hawaii residents through 51 branch libraries across six islands, including access to physical collections (books, CDs, DVDs), digital lending (eBooks, audiobooks, eMagazines), licensed research databases, and community programs such as book clubs and the Summer Reading Challenge. Specialized services include talking books for the print-disabled, ukulele lending, seed lending, passport acceptance, and proctored exams.
Product overview
The Hawaii State Public Library System operates as a unified public library network providing both physical and digital services through 51 branch locations across the Hawaiian Islands. The system offers a comprehensive portfolio of products organized around three core pillars: physical library services (branch libraries, physical collections, meeting spaces, and specialized lending programs), digital library services (eBook/eAudiobook lending via OverDrive, streaming video through Kanopy, eMagazine access via PressReader, and licensed research databases from EBSCO, Gale, and ProQuest), and community programming (Summer Reading Challenge, book clubs, online learning through Mango Languages and Gale Courses, and adaptive technology services). The system also provides government document services, passport acceptance facilities, and proctored exam services as community conveniences. Patrons access digital resources through an online catalog and the library's website, with reading programs managed through the Beanstack platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Branch Library Services
- Physical Collections
- eBook and eAudiobook Lending
- Talking Books and Adaptive Technology
- Research Databases
- Government Documents
- Online Learning Resources
- Streaming Video Services
- Seed Library Program
- Ukulele Lending Program
- Summer Reading Challenge
- Book Clubs
- Passport Acceptance Services
- Proctored Exam Services
- Meeting Room Reservations
Quantifiable outcome
- 51 branches serving all major Hawaiian islands
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Hawaii State Public Library System
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Hawaii State Public Library System technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
Feature4 records
Hawaii State Public Library System partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Music for Life FoundationcoreLeo Daquioag and Jake Shimabukuro of the Music for Life Foundation donated ukuleles to establish the Ukulele Lending Program at all Hawaii public libraries. The goal is to make ukulele and ukulele-playing opportunities accessible for all by allowing them to be checked out as easily as books.
- FINRA Investor Education FoundationcoreFinancial literacy program sponsor providing vetted links, tools, and classes to help patrons become financially literate. The partnership supports bankruptcy basics, saving, credit, insurance, investing, debt management, retirement, fraud prevention, and more.
- American Library AssociationcorePartner in financial literacy initiative, working with FINRA Investor Education Foundation to assemble vetted resources for library patrons.
- Hawaiian ElectricminorPartnership to provide emergency preparedness resources to Hawaii residents through the library system. Resources developed by Hawaiian Electric distributed via library branches.
- Friends of the Library of HawaiicoreStatewide organization responsible for raising funding for the Hawaii State Public Library System. Hundreds of volunteers and members raise funding that directly supports programming and services. Local Friends groups at most branch libraries meet local community needs.
- OverDrivecoreDigital content platform provider for eBooks, audiobooks, and eMagazines. Powers the library's Libby app and digital catalog serving thousands of patrons.
- EBSCO Information ServicescoreProvider of academic databases including Academic Search Complete, Business Source Complete, and Novelist K-8. One of the largest database providers for the library system.
- Gale (Cengage Learning)coreProvider of reference databases, eBooks, Gale Courses for continuing education, and research tools. Major database provider including Encyclopedia Britannica and custom collections.
- ProQuestcoreProvider of news databases including ProQuest U.S. Newspapers, Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest Online, and Books in Print.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hawaii State Public Library System competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- American Library Association: National professional association for libraries, providing standards, advocacy, and programming support — directly comparable as a co-development partner on HSPLS's financial literacy and professional initiatives.
Direct peers
- San Francisco Public Library: Major urban public library system offering branch services, e-lending, research databases, and robust community programming — directly comparable in service portfolio and free-access positioning.
- California State Library: State-level library agency performing statewide coordination, federal depository services, and support for local libraries — most direct institutional peer to HSPLS as a state library system.
- King County Library System: Regional public library system serving a large, geographically dispersed suburban and unincorporated population across multiple jurisdictions — comparable as a multi-branch public library serving a dispersed user base.
- Seattle Public Library: Mid-to-large municipal public library with branch network, digital lending, and extensive programming — comparable as a public, multi-branch free library system.
- New York Public Library: One of the largest U.S. public library systems, operating numerous branch locations across a major metropolitan area and offering free access to physical collections, digital lending, research databases, and community programming — directly analogous to HSPLS at city-scale.
- Chicago Public Library: Major municipal public library system operating dozens of branches with a strong digital platform (OverDrive, Hoopla), research resources, and free public programs — comparable in service mix and free-access model.
- Brooklyn Public Library: Multi-branch public library serving a large, diverse population with extensive programming for children and adults, maker spaces, and digital lending — comparable in offering breadth and community focus.
- Los Angeles Public Library: Large multi-branch public library system serving a geographically dispersed population with extensive digital lending, multilingual collections, and community programming — a close operational analog to HSPLS's statewide branch-and-digital model.
Broad incumbents
- Library of Congress: The national library and federal depository coordination center — comparable in its public mission, depository role, and cultural-preservation function, though far larger in scope than HSPLS.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hawaii State Public Library System social profiles
Digital presenceHawaii State Public Library System financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hawaii State Public Library System leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Hawaii State Public Library System funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hawaii State Public Library System M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hawaii State Public Library System
What does Hawaii State Public Library System do?
The Hawaii State Public Library System provides free public library services to Hawaii residents through 51 branch libraries across six islands, including access to physical collections (books, CDs, DVDs), digital lending (eBooks, audiobooks, eMagazines), licensed research databases, and community programs such as book clubs and the Summer Reading Challenge. Specialized services include talking books for the print-disabled, ukulele lending, seed lending, passport acceptance, and proctored exams.
Is Hawaii State Public Library System a public or private company?
Hawaii State Public Library System is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Hawaii State Public Library System founded?
Hawaii State Public Library System was founded in 1911. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Hawaii State Public Library System based?
Hawaii State Public Library System is headquartered in Honolulu, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hawaii State Public Library System make money?
One revenue line is on record: public Funding (Tax Revenue).
Who are Hawaii State Public Library System's main competitors?
American Library Association is listed as an others. Direct peers are San Francisco Public Library, California State Library, King County Library System, Seattle Public Library, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Los Angeles Public Library. Library of Congress is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Hawaii State Public Library System have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hawaii State Public Library System.
What industry is Hawaii State Public Library System in?
Hawaii State Public Library System's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management, with a secondary code of EDAEAGAF, Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing). Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8200.