The Hawaii State Library was constructed in 1913, it was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1978. The library holds more than half a million books; the entire Hawaii State Public Library System together has more than three million books. The State Library is located in downtown Honolulu in close proximity to Iolani Palace.
The architect of the building was Henry D. Whitfield and the American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie helped fund the construction. The main building of the library is a four-story rectangular structure with a six-story tower in the rear. At the entrance of the building are 200 feet high Tuscan columns and an 18 foot arch. A bronze sculpture had been cast by Barbara Hepworth, it is known as "Parent I and Young Girl" and is located on the lawn in front of the building.
The Hawaii library system began in 1879 initially as reading rooms. During that period, only men were allowed to check out books because the main purpose of the library was to keep the seamen out of trouble. The library had then some 5000 volumes. In the 1930's the library was expanded by architect Charles William Dickey, who includes two wings creating an open-air courtyard in the center of the building. The second floor of the library is an official Federal Depository Library that houses federal documents. Also on the second floor is Hawaii's only patent and trademark depository library. In the center of the library, the courtyard lined with palm trees offers the perfect and peaceful setting where many visitors find perfect for relaxing or for reading a book. In the library mural room are artworks depicting ancient Hawaiian legends.