Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is the main branch of the District of Columbia Public Library. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed the 400,000 square foot (37,000 m²) steel, brick, and glass structure, and it is a rare example of modern architecture in Washington, D.C. The library was Mies' last building. Completed in 1972, the building cost $18 million but has been plagued by problems in its HVAC system. The building that previously housed the central library was later used by the University of the District of Columbia and most recently as the City Museum of Washington, D.C.

Named in honor of the American civil rights leader, the building's lobby includes a large mural of Martin Luther King, Jr. by artist Don Miller.