Martin Luther King Jr. inspires 21st century library
the civil-rights leader.
In 1969, Martin Luther King Sr. visited Columbus to formally dedicate this new branch on the Near East Side. The elder King, still mourning the loss of his son, told the estimated 1,000 in attendance that he held no ill will toward his son’s killer, declaring, “Martin Luther King Jr. did not die. You cannot kill an ideal.”
Today, nearly 50 years later, we open our new Martin Luther King Branch at the corner of Taylor Avenue and Long Street, just down the street from the original building. This new library represents both a reinvestment in the Near East Side community and an affirmation of those very ideals King Sr. spoke of that day in 1969: promoting equality, valuing education and uplifting communities.
When we cut the ribbon this afternoon, we’ll be joined by King Jr.’s oldest son, Martin Luther King III, who will provide a keynote address to mark this special day — in much the same way his grandfather did those many years ago. King III has a special connection to books and reading. An author himself, he’s written a children’s book, “My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” about his unique upbringing. We hope his visit and this new 21st century library will help inspire the next generation of leaders in this evolving community.
East High School is across the street from our new library, and the students there — our leaders of tomorrow — provided valuable insight as we designed the new branch. They also voted on a name for the alleyway adjacent to it: Unity Way, in honor of King’s message. We thank them for helping us build this library to serve them and the community they live in.
Much like our eight new and renovated buildings, including our Main Library in the heart of the Downtown Discovery District, we believe this new branch will be a beacon in the community. It will change perceptions about the role of today’s public library. Public libraries of the 21st century are thriving civic centerpieces built with the customer and broader community needs in mind. They’re welcoming gathering spaces with transparent views so everyone can see what happens inside.
They’re equipped with the latest in technology and designed for maximum flexibility. Meeting rooms and study rooms provide places for people to come together to work toward a better future for everyone. And they’re staffed by exceptional customer-focused individuals who serve dual roles as knowledgeable experts and community leaders. And customers now choose between print books or downloadable eBooks, depending upon their reading preferences.
Our new Martin Luther King Branch, more than double the size of the former branch, offers an expansive children’s area with more space for programs and activities. A larger Homework Help Center will serve even more students who come to us for free after-school assistance. A Ready for Kindergarten area is designed to help preschoolers and their families prepare for the classroom.
Three public meeting rooms, four small study rooms and a natural lightfilled reading loft will provide active conversation places and serene contemplative space. Our teen area will offer a place for teens to connect with books, technology and staff to help them discover interests that could lead to future careers. There are more public computers, more parking spaces and areas that showcase our African Treasure Chest collection of cultural artifacts.
Our goal is to build libraries that not only stand the test of time, but evolve with the ever-changing world we live in. This afternoon’s dedication of our new Martin Luther King Branch celebrates the reinvestment in the Near East Side community and its limitless potential. Together, we will move closer to realizing our vision of a thriving community where wisdom prevails.