How We Work for Maui County Libraries

FUNDING FOR MATERIAL PURCHASES

The mission of our all-volunteer nonprofit, Maui Friends of the Library (MFOL), is to provide support for all the libraries in Maui County, including Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, and the Holoholo Bookmobile and other libraries. A primary task is raising money to help finance the acquisition of new materials: books, periodicals, reference materials, CDs, DVDs. 

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SUMMER READING PROGRAM SUPPORT

To promote the State of Hawaii Summer Reading Program in Maui, MFOL provides young adult books from Scholastic Literacy to be given away to participating readers and funds prizes to recognize achievements.

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PILOT PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL REQUESTS

The Conscious Child: Family Book Discussion Kits

This program is funded by grants from the Network of the National Library of Medicine and the Maui Friends of the Library. 

Spark meaningful family conversations by reading books together that nurture self-love, foster empathy, and empower children to make their voices heard!  

The Conscious Child: Family Book Discussion Kits aim to celebrate diverse voices, and to help facilitate family discussions about racial equity, identity, and justice.

The kits are currently available at Wailuku Public Library (808-243-5766) and Lahaina Public Library (808-662-3950). Call either library for more information.

The Hawai‘i State Public Libraries website provides links to download-able resources and reading lists.  

Also included on that site are recommended Reading Lists available state-wide, and a video about how to have “Tough Conversations” in a virtual discussion.  

For these online resources, visit the State Library website: 
https://www.librarieshawaii.org/2022/02/04/family-book-discussion-kits/

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HOW FUNDS WERE UTILIZED IN 2021

MFOL was able to provide substantial funding for the following library projects, programs, and materials, by library request:

• $64,000 for library programs, books, and other collection materials. That amounts to $8,000 for each branch and the bookmobile, to spend as they need on materials and programs not covered by state funding.    

• $10,000 for subscriptions to magazines and periodicals for the library branches.  

• $13,720 total for the purchase of book carts, book display items, and shelving accessories for Lāhaina, Makawao and Wailuku Library branches.  

•  $8,000 for the purchase of Scholastic Literacy Partnership Books to be given away during the Hawai‘i State Library System’s Summer Reading Program and other library programs during the year. 

• $4,000 for additional books for the Holoholo Bookmobile.  

• $3,375 to purchase new working appliances for staff rooms at Moloka‘i, Lāhaina, and Wailuku Libraries.    

• $1,500 to purchase books and supplies for The Conscious Child: Family Discussion Kits.    

• $600 for books at the Moloka‘i High School Library in co-ordination with the Lahaina Sunset Rotary Club to help the librarian continue to expand her programs with high school and middle school students.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Please consider helping MFOL continue to promote and enhance Maui’s public libraries by becoming a member of MFOL ... donating gently-used books, CDs, DVDs ... shopping at our bookstores ... signing up for a volunteer shift in  our bookstores.  If you have four hours a week available, those few hours can help make a big difference in our Maui County community!