Hamilton Library

I can request a book and it will be ready to pick up in no more than 5 minutes. No other library in the UH system offers such convenience. Waited up to two weeks to get books from Hilo.

Also known as the igloo. The entire library has A.C. In comparison to Sinclair, Hamilton is dead silent. Perfect for those who don’t work very well with noise. You can choose an area to sit in five different floors. This is where I study for finals and it’s not as crowded compared to Sinclair!

The Icebox. AC cranks in here — bring a sweatshirt. Good quiet place to get some work done. Workstations can get crowded and it can be distracting that workstations face each other. Internet is fastest on-​island, but save your work or you are screwed if system goes down.

This is a great library until other students talk upstairs thinking that they are not disturbing others trying to study. If you need to talk, please go down stairs. You’re paying money to get a degree but you talking in a quiet area isn’t helping others. A library is a quiet place, unless that policy has been taken out.

Librarians are so helpful. Staff is great for answering questions. A fair amount of computers and outlets. Good hiding spots for isolating and studying… or napping. A bit chilly and no food allowed but very safe atmosphere. Many resources electronically and hard copy. Use the maps incase you get lost. Check out the addition on 1^st floor for cool exhibits. The only thing is I wish they had longer hours but during finals they do extend them, thank goodness.

Hamilton Library is very useful. It maybe confusing. There is an annex to it. If you get into the Government Documents section there is a sense that you are in the deep dark cellar of someplace that is very aged and appealing. I have used this and the Annex Section for numerous papers. The selection of books and the ample range of new to really old volumes possess a wealth that goes beyond dollars. The librarians are always helpful and able to point out directions to wherever your book is sitting in.
There is a price range for those that want the community «pass». The price ranges on a six month to a year range. Each time limit does command a certain price. Yet the place is good for research, internet, and just a different aspect of how a library can present itself to a community that needs knowledge of the past ages and years.
Parking is also somewhat of an irritation. You do have to pay for parking when you go past the parking guy or find the parking fee machine. It may close on Saturdays so please be aware of that before you pay the parking or leave your house.

I love Hamilton library! It is the second best library I have ever been to (I have been blessed with some pretty phenomenal architectural mainland libraries that are not only visually appealing but also filled with every book you could imagine).
Hamilton library is nestled in a quiet sector of the UH Manoa campus and has all types of books and collections for all interested researchers and students alike. I understand the desire for Sinclair’s ²⁴⁄₇ service compared to Hamilton’s ¹²⁄₅ or whatever it is, but Hamilton is leaps and bounds better than Sinclair in every aspect. I head to this library all the time to get homework done that is far too long put off.
It’s a beautiful building with many culturally diverse floors all pertaining to different countries. There is also a showroom that has a different showcasing every few months that are really intriguing.
I love this library and will be said to say goodbye when I graduate this coming May. Go to Hamilton!

I spent many a restless night studying in Hamilton. There are some perfect corners to tuck yourself away into so that you can get the quiet you need.
I truly am grateful for the rare books sections and unique pacific Island studies area section that has check out for 1 hour in the building. Oh my — they are picky.
I have had library orientation with a few classes– and suggested to other students that they use the librarians for help. I myself know my way — but a place like Hamilton — if one is a second language speaker it is not the easiest place to get around quickly.
I remember the flood — that took out the maps section and basement and how there were fans and air-​condition generators to prevent the rest of the collection from falling into the hands of mold– be thankful for the scenery but know that it can take out the whole library in an instant.
It is central in location but ohhh mother nature can quickly take it back if she needed it. Luckily I finished my classes and have fond memories of the library.

10.30.13.
Holy cow! This has to be the most confusing library ever?! …maybe it’s just user error. Or perhaps its the fact that this library is HUGE & just as overwhelming as the extent of the UH Manoa campus. I’ve learned that it’s a much better use of time to just ask the students at the information desk near the elevators for help if I’m lost – I’ve always gotten great help there – and it beats roaming around aimlessing for 30+ minutes.
I do like that this library is well-​resourced – great collections, lots of computers available for students, lots of study areas/​desks, etc. Just a warning, computers and desk space will get crowded during midterms & finals times. Reserve study or presentation rooms at the circulation desk to have «study groups» (which really means, fun-​attempt-​to-​study-​time-​with-​friends); I believe you just leave your ID card with them! ;)
The Business Office (located close to the Circulation Desk) is where you pay for fines! Be careful, they’re only open till a certain time in the afternoon. In my experiences they’ve always been nice & were super understanding when I paid my ridiculous, irresponsible library fine. This is also where you can pick up your printing card (it costs $ 1 & you’ll load more money on it using the machines around the library).
Last note, this library gets super cold! It’s great during the summer when it’s super hot; sometimes it’s nice to step inside, take a break from the trek across campus, and just cool down. But if you’re planning on staying in here for a while, bring a jacket, blanket, something, anything to keep you warm, you won’t regret it.
Unilocal 365 Challenge: #302/​365

My go-​to study spot. Its quiet. Nobody bothers you or talks. Its air conditioned and doesn’t smell like old furniture like Campus Center or Sinclair. Only draw back is the A/​C. Its gotta be set at 60*. What the hell… Seriously, I thought UH was supposed to be going green and cutting back on electric costs. My theory is that’s the proper temperature to store fine wines like Pinot or Bordeaux. And that the librarians have lockers to store and age wine. (Just a thought.)

Overall, I like going to Hamilton. The annex is my favorite part since it’s not as cold as the main /​older section of the library in my opinion. I go here to study on Sundays, when they’re open til 10 PM, and the parking is free on campus.

This is my favorite library at the Manoa campus. Hamilton is a completely enclosed air-​conditioned library, unlike its campus counterpart Sinclair. It’s easy to get your study on in one of the many hideaway areas. Study rooms and presentation rooms are available for students w/​student ID. CLIC labs with computers and printers are located on the ground floor, and scanners are available in the addition. The wi-​fi is strong throughout the building, but in my personal experience cell phone service is best on the addition side. The security guards are friendly and do walk-​arounds at regular intervals. Open seven days a week for now, and usually open 24 hours for finals week!

It’s difficult to review Hamilton Library without comparing and contrasting it to Sinclair Library. If you are ever on that side of the campus and refuse to trek your way towards Sinclair, Hamilton is the best place to study and escape from the heat.
I usually come to Hamilton Library when I need to find a quiet place of solitude to study. Study rooms are private, quiet, and can be reserved by showing your student ID at the front desk. However, study rooms are quick to be reserved and are usually all occupied during peak hours. If you can’t reserve a study room, there’s always an area available on any of the five floors. Basically, finding a quiet place to study in Hamilton shouldn’t be any problem at all.
One of the huge problems I have with Hamilton is how unbelievably cold it is. If you’re not wearing a sweater or jeans, be prepared to freeze to death. The air conditioning is blasted up so high in all areas that you’re bound to get the chills from time to time. I can barely stay in Hamilton for longer than an hour when I’m wearing anything other than a sweater or jeans. There’s also the rule about no beverages or food, which can put a damper on your study time if you need a study snack or drink. This is one of the main reasons why I choose to study at Sinclair, where all types of foods and drinks are allowed. Also, if you plan on studying past 10:00 PM, it’s better to avoid Hamilton and make your way to Sinclair since Hamilton closes at 10:00 PM on most days.

Coming here to Hamilton library on the campus of the University of Hawaii Manoa recently brought back plenty of nostalgia during the days I came to school here (2001 — 2004). I remember that this library is the air conditioned one and on the upper floors, it does get wicked quiet, since many students work and study there. It was great to go back in there and be a student — in a way — and just get that alone time when Starbucks, the beach, and my usual places to work on my novel just won’t cut it anymore.
I found that Hamilton Library houses a huge collection of books on virtually in any subject you are interested in looking up more Information on. I like this library for the fact that it is air conditioned and quiet. You could get alot done here when it is the ideal temperature here. Then again, the more quiet it is, the tendency to fall asleep here is greater than I have ever known. The library completed construction to the library in recent years, so they are still relocating books and other resources into their appropriate sections within the library itself.
The Hamilton Library is one of the two major libraries on campus, the other being Sinclair Library located on University Avenue side next to Campus Center. There are computers in the lobby area of Hamilton Library to help you look up the books or books necessary to facilitate your research for your term papers or anything you would like to learn more about. The University library has a lot more resources than the public library system, and that it is very much more comfortable to read here and study here on a Sunday afternoon. You can feel the time slow down here when it is all quiet. You can listen to your music, providing you use your earphones.
The great thing about this library is that there are outlets to recharge your mobile device! That’s awesome! Also, there are restrooms and water fountains scattered throughout the library. Only thing that sucks being here on the weekends is that nothing is open, in terms of food choices. Overall, this library is supremely awesome and I would recommend this one over the public library system. I guess if you do look like a UH student and don’t draw attention to yourself, you can come here and do whatever you need to do, except anything illegal.
A+++

It was my first time this semester going into the library. I had just walked from POST on a sunny day, and I was excited to have some nice AC. I didn’t realize that they got rid of the computer area that’s near the entrance (the last time I REALLY walked through Hamilton was when I first went to UHM in Fall of 2007. I prefer studying in Sinclair). There are tables there now for studying. I had about an hour and a half to kill there. I amount of tables in that area were on the lower side. There’s A LOT of space, but about 10 tables (why??). It also wasn’t very cold in that area which I found odd because when I walked to go use the bathroom by the classrooms, it was FREEZING.
The noise level wasn’t bad (probably because it’s a library). I would recommend going to this library if you’re on that side of the campus and you need specific books. If not, I wouldn’t truck it across campus to study there. Sinclair is fine and you can study in AC if you want.

Hamilton! You’re so cold! I can’t stay in you for more than an hour sometimes. Especially from the second floor and up! First floor, it’s good, but a little bit noisier since people come in and out all the time. Second floor and the rest up, it’s nice and quiet. So quiet, it’s scary sometimes. I remember I had to go to the 4^th floor for a book I wanted to read/​borrow. I had to walk all the way to the end of shelves of books… Mind you, this was only at 2 in the afternoon. Lights were dim, and as I squatted to find the book, someone walked past me and at that point, I felt as if I was going to die, like in horror films…
But really, I only like it here because of the books I want to read, how quiet it is (sometimes ’cause I get scared), and the AC when it’s super duper hot. Sad thing is, no food or drinks allowed! Only water in bottled containers. Which is why you got to. be sneaky. If you catch my drift.

This place has A.C. Great place on hot days at UH Manoa.
The worst thing about this library is that there is usually not enough tables. You sometimes even have to wait for computers.
Around exam week this place is way too crowded.
They should invest in more access to tables and computers.
Other then that I like that it has A.C.

I prefer Sinclair Library, but, when I have a class near Hamilton, I usually resort to Hamilton, naturally…
Hamilton as a functional library is useful because of the wider variety of study rooms, which you have to reserve first on the first floor before going in freely (believe me, I made that mistake). I am grateful for the annex, which is reliable on all floors of the library, and it just gives you that feeling as if the library never ends. The quietness in Hamilton Library is also more distinct, which is good in a sense where you can’t get distracted as often, and can also be eerie as well, which then makes me appreciate how loud Sinclair Library can get.
I can’t study in Hamilton for long periods of time because of how cold it can get in there. But, it is easy to get comfortable here with the right sweater/​sweatshirt/​jacket and jeans.

The customer service is terrible.
Have a problem with the photocopy machine? Staff is clueless.
Have a problem accessing the journal databases? Staff is clueless.
The worst part is when business profs send you there to retrieve material and the staff doesn’t even know where it is!
I think that one of the problems is that staff is either brand new students that don’t spend the time becoming familiar with the resources or is older folks who have no idea how to use the online resources.
Either way… EPIC fail.

The only reason I can’t give 5 stars is that the library is hurting due to a diminishing budget, so some things it should have it simply can’t get. However, it is still an AMAZING collection and staffed by many excellent professional librarians and staff!
So, budget = 0
facility = 4
staff = 5+