After statehood in 1959, the Hawaii State Legislature created the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS), the only statewide system in the United States, with the Hawaii State Library building as its flagship branch. The Hawaii State Public Library System is an independent State agency that reports directly to the Board of Education. The duties of the board of education are described in Hawaii Revised Statue §312-1. The State Librarian is appointed by the Board of Education and responsible for the operation, planning, programming, and budgeting of all public libraries within the State.
