Picture this Sinclair Library in Honolulu a majestic four-story structure. It stands proudly on the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus a testament to architectural brilliance.
Sinclair Library wasn’t always a student success center. In 1956 it opened its doors as one of the largest open-stack university libraries in the United States. Designed in the International style it was built to withstand Hawaii’s climate while serving the university’s academic needs. Its red brick exterior glass windows and lanais are a captivating sight.
The library’s history is rich with technological advancements. In the 80s and 90s Sinclair embraced digitization. The Harry C & Nee Chang Wong Audiovisual Center showcased the library’s commitment to multimedia. The Hawaii Interactive Television System brought the outside world into Sinclair. A computerized learning center and a university-wide computer system connected students and faculty across the islands.
The library continued to evolve. In 2001 the Web gateway Hawaii Voyager connected Sinclair to a network of libraries including the Bishop Museum Library and Archives. Older videos and tapes were digitized and made available for streaming. By 2010 Sinclair Library even had a photovoltaic system powering its operations with clean energy. The library also launched a new updated computer system in 2019.
But Sinclair Library’s story took an unexpected turn. In 2019 the decision was made to transform it into a student success center. The library’s vast collection of books and artifacts were carefully moved to Hamilton Library. This included 500 moving images of Hawaii and the Pacific. It also included a treasured recording of Martin Luther King Jr speaking at Andrews Amphitheater.
The closure of Sinclair Library as a library was bittersweet. For many librarians and staff it was more than just a workplace it was home. They had dedicated their careers to supporting students and faculty. Though Sinclair is no longer a library its legacy lives on in Hamilton Library and in the hearts of those who once called it home. Sinclair Library a building that seamlessly blended history technology and community now serves a new generation of students. The transformation continues to this day. The new student success center promises to be a hub for learning collaboration and growth.