New College Library, Coffee Shop Open To All Area Residents

Student Megan Cadiente tries out a computer during the August grand opening of Windward Community College's Library Learning Commons. Photo by Leah Friel, lfriel@midweek.com.

After its official opening Aug. 29, the new library at Windward Community College – all three floors of it – already has settled comfortably into campus life to fulfill the mission of its name, Hale La’akea, (Hall of Enlightenment).

But the public also can use the $22.5 million Library Learning Commons by filling out a community user application (at the circulation desk), which affords a number of borrowing privileges over a one-year period for a fee ($60, or $30 for age 60 and older). The library’s current hours are 7:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. According to head librarian Nancy Heu, the continued late hours will depend on the response of users.

Call 235-7338 for reference services or 235-7441

for circulation. Supporters can also join the Books with Honor donation program and have their name affixed to commemorative bookplates.

Visitors also can enjoy the view through the facility’s many expansive windows, or peek at the securely ensconced time capsule on the first floor.

Or sit outside (no food or drink allowed inside) and sip on a Grande Caramel Frappe or Lychee Iced Tea from The Hub, a student coffee shop just outside the library entrance. Owned by Kimberly Yamahara and Andrea Macabeo, The Hub has locally roasted Island Brew coffees, bubble drinks, tea, milkshakes, pastries, salads and sandwiches. It’s a cash-only operation, and current hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. For more information, call 489-7222.