The results and renderings of a recent public forum with the D.C. Public Library have finally been released. After receiving feedback from over 3,000 city residents on the programs and layout of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, plans are in the works to begin an estimated $250 million upgrade to the entire 440,000-square-foot building. Already, there are two leading designs for a rooftop addition, reports Washington Business Journal. The renovations include construction of a cafe and restaurant, additional rooms for community meetings and programs like author talks, and "construction of an additional space for complementary non-library using a public-private partnership," according to Washington City Paper. For children's and teen programming, there will be two additional rooms as well as a digital media center. Spaces for library staff and support services will be redesigned and streamlined. For now, $200 million have been committed by the city for the 901 G St. NW building.
· MLK Library Revision: "The entire building, plus a fifth floor, will be used to offer District residents a renovated central library" [PoPville]
· D.C. rethinks its central library plans, goes bigger [Washington Business Journal]
· MLK Library Will Need Twice as Much Space as Expected [Washington City Paper]
· MLK Library's Proposed Renovation Seeks Public Opinion [Curbed DC]