RCHS Meeting w/ Nainoa Mau -Friends of the Library

Our speaker this week will be Nainoa Mau, theExecutive Director of Friends of the Library of Hawai’i (FLH). Mau has held that position for six years and was the FLH Program Director for four years prior. Mau is a strong believer in the importance of access to information and educational opportunities for all. He is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and earned a degree in Economics and a Masters of Business Administration at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. In addition to his work with FLH, Mau also volunteers with other community organizations and is currently the co-Chair of Hawai’i Public Radioʻs Generation Listen.

Friends of the Library of Hawai’i (FLH) is the non-profit partner of the Hawai’i State Public Library System (HSPLS). The mission of FLH is to support and promote all of Hawai’iʻs public libraries. FLH accomplishes this mission by providing financial support for programs and services that are not provided for in the state budget. The biggest programs include the popular Summer Reading Programs, Institute Days for all HSPLS staff, matching grants for technology upgrades and capital expenses, scholarships for Masters of Library Science students, and much more. Funds for these programs come from membership, book sales, donations, grants, and community sponsorships. In addition to financial support, FLH advocates for the perpetuation and extension of free public library services for our communities.