FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY OF HAWAII
To maintain free public libraries in the State of Hawaiʻi, to promote extension of library services throughout the State, and to increase the facilities of the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System by securing materials and resources beyond the ordinary library budget.
About FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY OF HAWAII
Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi (FLH) is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports and promotes the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System through fundraising, grants, bookstores/book sales, literacy programs and affiliate support. Founded in the late 19th century and operating as the central organization for an affiliate network, FLH holds a group tax-exemption and provides programmatic and financial assistance to local Friends groups and library branches. In recent years FLH has continued large public-facing fundraising events (annual book sales, pop-up shops, and retail locations), administered long-running programs (including Links to Literacy and ʻOhana Readers/Imagination Library), and issued grants and scholarships for librarians and affiliates to expand services and materials across the state.
Notable achievements
Long-running annual booksales
Operates several major public fundraising events each year (Annual Booksale, Art & Book Sale, Music & Book Sale) and resumed large-scale book sale operations after the pandemic; the organization reported multi-decade milestones for its summer sale (e.g., the 75th Annual Booksale in 2024) and continued pop-up and retail book operations.
Statewide affiliate network and group exemption
Serves as the central 501(c)(3) organization for an affiliate network that supports library Friends groups across Hawaiʻi, providing affiliate guidance, a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, and matching and program grants for local initiatives.
Sustained programmatic support for literacy and librarians
Administers multi-year literacy initiatives and awards (including Links to Literacy, ʻOhana Readers/Imagination Library, grants for librarians, scholarships, and the Elliot Cades Awards for Literature) that directly support reading access, professional development, and literary recognition in the state.
At a glance
- Total assets
- $12.2M
- Annual revenue
- $816K
- Tax status
- 501(c)(3)Public charity
- EIN
- 99-6003670
- Location
- Honolulu, HI
- Website
- friendsofthelibraryofhawaii.org
- On Mahalo since
- May 2026
Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.
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