Three years and $10.3 million in the making, the rebuilt Manoa Public Library opens Saturday as a bigger, "greener," more tech-friendly facility that reflects the preference of patrons.

Brand new from the ground up, it is more than four times bigger than its predecessor, with three times the capacity for books, CDs and other materials.

Library patrons will see 18 new laptops for public use, compared with the seven the old library had. For those who bring their own laptops, 10 desk spaces are available, each with electric outlets.

Branch Manager Christel Collins said that during the past several decades there has been a major effort to upgrade technology and Internet access, not only in the Hawaii State Public Library System, but around the nation. Today all 50 public libraries in Hawaii have free Wi-Fi.

"Public libraries are open for the public, so any request or feedback that they have to better their library system is always welcomed," she said. "The people of Manoa are a prime example of voicing their opinions and in return getting a library that meets their needs."

BUT EVEN WITH a new library like Manoa’s that has added features from community input, the question of what libraries are doing to stay relevant remains valid.

Nationally, Hawaii has the only statewide library system, something that library worker Berry Andelin, 58, thinks should draw everyone to use their local branch.

"It’s a free way to get books, movies, music and also a place to use them in," she said. "We’re a one-stop shop, and you never have to take any of the materials home."

Andelin, who recently transfered to Manoa from Kaimuki Public Library, said that during tough economic times people seek out low prices and free ways to have fun.

"They come to the library," she said.

Collins agreed, saying library officials work with branches around the state to offer activities such as informational seminars, author talks and contests that will keep users coming back.

"We love new library users, but we want to turn them into lifetime users and each library staff has their own way of doing that," she said.

Collins expects the building itself will bring people to the Manoa library.

Along with the dramatic change in square footage and added technology, Collins said, the new library is "definitely greener" than the original.

There are 48 solar panels on the south side of the building which are estimated to supply 16.6 percent of the energy used by the library. High-performance window glass, which reflects heat from the outdoors and helps keep the building’s interior cool, was installed to work with reflective surfaces called horizontal light shelves, which draw more natural light into the building.

A 3,000-gallon catchment tank was installed under the parking garage to collect rainwater from the roof. The water will be used strictly for irrigation of the plants on the property, which are all endemic, indigenous or carried to Hawaii on Polynesian canoes.

"It’s probably one of my favorite features," Collins said of the irrigation system.

All the "green" features of the building were constructed with the hope of winning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification, something that Collins said was important to the architect, Gary Kawa­kami of Architecture Plus Inc.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is a rating system that looks at the design, construction and operation of green buildings.

TALKS TO EXPAND the original Manoa Public Library began back in 1980. The idea for a completely new building came about in 1995.

In 2006, under then-Gov. Linda Lingle, the state Legislature released funds for the planning, design and construction of the new library. The old library closed in July 2009, and in August of that year an interim library opened at Noe­lani Elementary School.

Groundbreaking was in October 2009.

Keith Fujio, fiscal officer for state library system, said the proj­ect took longer than expected.

Original plans to cover the front exterior of the library with "cast rock finish" raised objections among residents. After going up, the rocks were taken down, causing a delay in construction.

A diverse group of people influenced the renovation, Fujio said.

"That’s why the finished proj­ect is so great."

Collins, who came to Manoa from McCully Public Library in 2000, said, "You learn through something like this building process that patience really is a virtue."

She added that along with "loyal library patrons" and Manoa residents, several individuals and groups have been involved in the effort to build a new Manoa Public Library. They include Fujio, state Sen. Brian Tani­gu­chi and Friends of Manoa Library.

"Sen. Taniguchi has really dialed in to this community and has listened to what we as community members wanted for our library," Collins said. "And in return we have a library built for the community, by the community."

Jennifer Bustard, 56, said the passion that residents of Manoa show for their library is unmatched.

Bustard and other staff members worked at other branches during the closure.

"It feels good to be back," she said.

Collins gave Taniguchi a tour of the library at the beginning of May. Both agreed that the new library should last for 50 years, just like the first one did.