Public Libraries in Hawaii County, Hawaii

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📚 County library guide

Public Libraries in Hawaii County, Hawaii

Hawaii County (the Big Island) is served by the Hawaii State Public Library System — a statewide system that operates 13 locations on Hawaii Island, from Hilo Public Library on the east coast to Kealakekua and Kailua-Kona on the west.

💡 Looking for a specific service in Hawaii County? libraries with study rooms · printing, copying & fax · a Library of Things.

📚 About Hawaii State Public Library System — Hawaii Island

The Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) is a single statewide system administered by the State of Hawaii — unusual in the U.S. because Hawaii has no county-level library governance. On the Big Island (Hawaii County), HSPLS operates 13 library locations spanning the island’s diverse communities, from the rainy Hilo coast to the leeward Kona district and the rural valleys of Hamakua and Kaʻu. The flagship Hilo Public Library serves the county seat, while many branch locations double as public-and-school libraries, providing service to remote communities that would otherwise have no access.

📱 Free digital access with your card

A free Hawaii State Public Library System card unlocks ebooks and audiobooks through Libby, no-waitlist digital titles on hoopla, and streaming films on Kanopy. Hawaii cardholders also access a suite of research databases provided by the Hawaii State Public Library System, available from home with your card number.

Hawaii County library branches — 11 verified

Each branch below is verified on its official page with address, hours and services. Browse the full Hawaii directory for more.

Hilo Public LibraryHilo, HIFlagship library in the county seat →Kailua-Kona Public LibraryHilo, HIMain library for the Kona coast →Honokaʻa Public LibraryHilo, HIHamakua Coast community library →North Kohala Public LibraryHilo, HIServing the remote North Kohala community →Keaʻau Public and School LibraryHilo, HIPublic-and-school library in Puna district →Kealakekua Public LibraryHilo, HISouth Kona district community library →Laupāhoehoe Public and School LibraryHilo, HIPublic-and-school library on the Hamakua Coast →Mountain View Public and School LibraryHilo, HIPublic-and-school library in the Puna rainforest →Nāʻālehu Public LibraryHilo, HISouthernmost public library in the U.S. →Pāhala Public and School LibraryHilo, HIKaʻu district public-and-school library →Pāhoa Public and School LibraryHilo, HILower Puna district public-and-school library →

❓ Frequently asked questions

How many public libraries are on the Big Island (Hawaii County)?

The Hawaii State Public Library System operates 13 locations on Hawaii Island, ranging from Hilo on the east coast to Kailua-Kona in the west and small community libraries in Kaʻu and Hamakua.

Where is the main library in Hawaii County?

The Hilo Public Library at 300 Waiānuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720 is the largest and most central library on the island, serving the county seat.

Who can get a Hawaii State Public Library System card?

A card is free to anyone who lives, works or attends school in Hawaii. Cards from any HSPLS location are valid at all 51 locations statewide across all Hawaiian islands.

What are “public and school” libraries on the Big Island?

Several Hawaii Island locations are joint public-and-school libraries — co-located on school campuses and open to both students and community members. They are the primary public library service for their rural communities.

Is the Edwin H. Mookini Library at UH Hilo a public library?

No. The Edwin H. Mookini Library at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is a university academic library, not part of HSPLS. The public library in Hilo is the Hilo Public Library on Waiānuenue Avenue.

Last verified September 2026 from official library sources. Hours & services can change — confirm on each branch’s page. By Megan Carter, Library Resources Editor · public-libraries.com