Wish You Were Here!
Welcome to the Thomas Hale Hamilton Library (UH Manoa)
The largest library in the state of Hawaii as well as the primary library for UH Manoa, the Thomas Hale Hamilton Library is this paradise’s paradise for book lovers! Five stories tall, with a ground floor and a large addition, totaling over four hundred thousand sq ft (UH Manoa, 2023), this enormous library houses numerous special collections such as the Hawaiian and Pacific collections, Maps, Aerial Photographs, and GIS (MAGIS) and Asian and Russian Collections. The library also houses a federal depository for government documents, has an entire floor committed to preservation (in which I worked for the Russian Collection preserving maps and paper products!), and houses the University’s Library and Information Science program!
Ninety percent of my time on campus was spent at the library. Aside from its vast collection of books on every topic imaginable, it was a sanctuary from what I saw as the “youth gone wild” atmosphere I would encounter outside; What can I say, I’m an old soul that doesn’t fit in well with bikini wearing class-goers and shirtless skateboarders weaving between me and a crowd! Though it wasn’t just for sanctuary; Hamilton Library was my home with classes in the basement and my job on the top floor. Endless hours of wandering through the stacks at night just looking at what I could see.
Oh! Sorry, I lost myself there! Anyway, this amazing library is not just for UH students; it is in many ways a beacon for the wider community, and visitors are always welcome! Many collection’s items, as well as various student’s current projects are on display thought the building, making it a free and intimate museum, as well, the public are welcome to browse the stacks, use the computers, and take advantage of many other free resources available without needing to be a student at UH. Let’s just put it like this; if you like libraries in general, you’ll love Hamilton Library!
Click here to learn more about Hamilton Library’s special collections!
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any good videos about Hamilton Library, so, I’ll just throw in some extra photos!
More Photos!
