Farewell to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Katharina Hering Discussion

Soon, the MLK Jr. Memorial Library will be a construction site. If you should decide to visit the building one last time before it closes on March 4, 2017, for its three-year modernization, don’t miss the Washingtoniana Division’s farewell exhibit. On display in three different locations in the library, the exhibit features selected items from the DCPL Archives collection, such as photographs of the construction process, original architectural blueprints, and the framed ribbon and scissors from the 1972 opening ceremony of the iconic modernist building.

In a 1970/1971 campaign, many DC residents wrote to the Library Board of Trustees and expressed their support to name the library after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A selection of these powerful letters is on display in the library’s Great Hall lobby: “Dr. King was an inspiration and was admired by all in his quest for peace and brotherhood among all people, black and white,” wrote, for example, Rev. Carlton Veazey (January 12, 1971). “Perhaps the placing of this permanent symbol will aid us, those who would like to take up his mantle and continue to move in the direction he was leading us,” wrote Assistant School Superintendent William Rice from Anacostia (January 11, 1971).  While the majority of the letters to the Board of Trustees were in favor of naming the library after the Civil Rights leader, a few Washingtonians were opposed. Benjamin McKelway, for example, the former editor of the conservative Washington Evening Star, argued that the library should not be named after “an individual,” and should rather be known as “the Central Building of the Public Library.” (Oct. 21, 1970). 

Not to be missed, on display in front of the entrance to the Black Studies Center, are original 1966 sketches of the building drawn by the architect Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969), who was known for his attention to detail when planning the design of buildings and their interiors.  The original design reveals interesting period details, such as the historical predecessor of the Digital Commons, the “public typing room,” or a “smoking lounge.” Other historical gems include the framed scissors and ribbon used in the opening ceremony on August 21, 1972, which marked a new beginning of DC’s public library system, on display in front of the entrance to the Washingtoniana Division.

As you bid farewell to the “old” MLK Jr. Memorial Library building, you may wish to record your memories of the library for the MLK Jr. Memorial Library Memories project, and book a session at the Studio Lab (upcoming sessions will be on February 25, 27, and 28). Arrangements can be made through the studio lab form at: bit.ly/labsclasses or via email at: studio.lab@dc.gov. Memories will be archived by Special Collections, or shared on the library’s webpage: http://www.dclibrary.org/shareyourmemories

See also the review of the library’s 40th anniversary exhibit: “A Community of People & Books, Translated into Architecture: The Exhibit “Less is More:” Mies van der Rohe and the Making of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library,” published on H-DC on September 9, 2012.

See also on the renovation plans: Matthew Gilmore, “MLK Library 3-Year Reconstruction Project Starts with March 4th Closing; Final Plans Reveal Details,” Intowner, February 14, 2017.

Katharina Hering