Hawaii State Librarian Stacey Aldrich, Tim Littlejohn, and Waialua Librarian Alexandra Balgos
Walking into the Waialua Library may feel a little different now as Library Manager, Timothy Littlejohn, who greeted everyone with a big smile and aloha, will no longer be sitting at his desk.
After 35 years of “above- and -beyond” service to the Hawaii Library system, Timothy Littlejohn is stepping down at the North Shore’s smallest library. Littlejohn says it may be the smallest library, but it’s a library with the biggest heart.
“When there was a budget shortfall, and no money for books, the ‘Friends of the Waialua Library,’ 600 members strong, along with the North Shore Neighborhood Board took the lead to provide new books for us,” said Littlejohn. “There were also churches, musicians and several other children’s organization that gave generously as well.”
Wearing a crocheted crown, made by a local patron, and sporting several lei, Littlejohn was recently celebrated at his retirement party at Waialua Library, and true to form the humble librarian didn’t want to talk about himself, but about all the patrons, who he considers friends.
“In my time here, I’ve seen several patrons become very successful: champion surfers, a nuclear engineer, a Navy Admiral, politicians, ministers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, and successful business owners, and they’ve all passed through our humble one room library,” said Littlejohn looking around the children’s section, where some of these successful patrons have come in as toddlers for story time. Littlejohn says he could never have imagined how his own life story, would unfold when he left the island for the University of Idaho as a music major.
“I played classical guitar and I wanted to see and live in a place that had snow,” explained Littlejohn with a laugh. “I graduated with a music degree, but I soon realized, while I can play guitar, there are other guitarists far more talented.”
Littlejohn decided to then go into social work in Hawaii, but after a year, he confessed he burned out, and that’s when he always remembered he enjoyed being in the library. Littlejohn made his way to University of Hawaii and earned a master’s degree in library information science and never looked back.
“My first job as a librarian was with the mobile book library van in Kauai,” said Littlejohn. “Do you remember the Taylor Camp commune, where clothes were optional? I would drive my mobile book library there too.” Littlejohn laughs at the memory, and pulls out a book from the stacks titled, “Taylor Camp,” to verify his memories of the commune.
After Kauai he spent a couple of years at different libraries, including Mililani, before Waialua was fortunate enough to have him for more than three decades.
“It’s no wonder Waialua Library was named the best little rural library in 1997, it’s because of librarians like Tim,” said Hawaii State Librarian, Stacey Aldrich. “Tim is brilliant and passionate, while always being kind and calm. Tim talks to everyone it’s part of his energy and space. He’s amazing.”
Littlejohn says he decided to retire now, as his two elderly aunties who live in the Bay Area, are experiencing more serious health issues, and he wants to be more available to ensure they have good quality care.
Friends of the Waialua Library President, Connie Durant, who planned the retirement party says Littlejohn treated everyone with dignity, whether it was a celebrity or someone who had found themselves houseless.
“Tim has been the heart of our community’s small rural library, always supporting and promoting education, literacy, and lifelong learning,” said Durant. “ He leaves a legacy of kindness, compassion, and genuine connection that made every resident and visitor feel welcome. Our community will surely miss him.”
By Penny Nakamura