Hawaii State Library, Mediterranean Revival public library in downtown Honolulu, United States
The Hawaii State Library is a four-story building with a six-story tower featuring Mediterranean Revival style, Tuscan columns, and 18-foot arches at the main entrance. The structure includes a palm-lined central courtyard and displays traditional architectural elements adapted to a tropical setting.
The library began as a Reading Room in 1879, initially restricting book borrowing to men to maintain order among the sailor population. The current Mediterranean Revival building came later and expanded services to become the major research facility it is today.
The building holds Hawaii's only Patent and Trademark Depository Library on its second floor, serving as an official Federal Depository Library for government materials. This role makes it a vital center for both local knowledge and nationwide information access.
The building sits at the intersection of South King Street and Punchbowl Street in downtown Honolulu, making it walkable from nearby areas. Inside, you can access photocopying services and consult research materials on-site without taking items away.
The Mural Room displays artwork depicting Hawaiian legends, offering visitors a visual connection to local mythology. The palm-lined central courtyard provides a quiet reading space framed by Mediterranean arches and tropical greenery.
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