D.C.’s central library is set to reopen next month after a $211 million renovation that preserves the historic interior and adds light, a grand reading room and a rooftop garden.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will open its doors on Sept. 24 after six years of work. News4 got a sneak peek. Inside, it’s a completely different building.
329 medal events. 32 sports. Endless drama. Catch all the action at the Paris Olympics. Sign up for our free Olympics Headlines newsletter.
“To convert this from what was a 50-year-old box of books to something that is focused on people and a desire to learn and interact is a stunning achievement,” said DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan.
There are familiar spaces from the past, such as the lobby and the original mural of King. But it’s no longer a dark, brick building. Light soars through skylights, large windows and wide-open spiral staircases.
Photos: Here's a Look Inside DC's Renovated Main Library
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
There's space for emerging technologies, a tool library, a cafe, a children’s room with a slide, and a grand reading room with artwork hanging from above. There are meeting rooms for public use. And the room for local historical documents was upgraded.
There’s a 290-seat auditorium and a rooftop garden where you’ll be able to escape and enjoy the view.
Before construction, the library was known for being a hub for homeless people who would seek refuge. The library is for all residents and visitors, Reyes-Gavilan said. He said he expected people from all walks of life to stop in to peruse books, use a computer or just visit the bathroom.
The library will have more than 1 million books and host an estimated 1 million visitors per year.