What We Do (and have done!) | Maui Friends of the

What We Do (and have done!)

Our nonprofit, all-volunteer organization serves the people of Maui County primarily through support to our libraries. Money received from store sales, pop-up sales, and donations and memberships fund the cost of new materials and ongoing programs in Maui County’s public libraries.

100% of our net receipts go directly to libraries...or back into our community.

How We Work for Libraries

In 2021 alone, Maui Friends of the Library provided over $100,000 for library projects, programs, and materials, in Maui County's libraries including Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, and the Holoholo Bookmobile.

Holoholo Bookmobile

In 2016, Maui Friends of the Library successfully achieved the goal to raise $300,000 for a new Bookmobile for Maui.

On board, patrons can check out & return materials, apply for library cards, use the WiFi, consult a librarian... essentially, it’s another library branch!

We Offer Books for Everybody. . .

Maui Friends of the Library is able to give all people on Maui access to inexpensive books and media. Whether for education, self-improvement, or entertainment, MFOL offers a place where everyone can afford a book, movie, or music.

MFOL has given away many thousands of FREE books for kids — every day in our stores, at holiday celebrations and pop-up sales, and in collaboration with other community partners and social service agencies.

. . . and, sometimes, FREE BOOKS!

FREE BOOKS for EDUCATORS!

In 2021, sixty-seven teachers and home-schoolers enjoyed another tradition of the Maui Friends of the Library before the start of school: a book giveaway at the warehouse store in Pu‘unene.

The educators were invited to pick and choose — and could select as much as they wanted, for FREE! More than 6,000 books were given away over these weekends.

If you are a teacher or a home-schooler, find out how you, too, can get free books for your students or special projects. Call: John T 808-268-2976, or Pu‘unēnē Bookstore 808-871-6563

Scholarship Program for Maui Students

Maui Friends of the Library also offers academic semester scholarships to Maui County residents pursuing a Master's or graduate advanced degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Hawaii Manoa campus or through the UH University Center at the UH Maui College campus.

Apply Now

Win/Win in reducing Maui's Landfill

Maui Friends of the Library makes a major contribution to the efforts on Maui to “Reduce/Reuse/Recycle.” People and organizations can donate their good-but-no-longer-needed materials... then other people come and give them a new home. This not only helps keep excess waste out of the landfill, but allows MFOL to present reasonably priced books for everybody, including free books for kids!