Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

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This article is about the main public library of Washington, D.C. For others, see Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.

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.

This uniquely designed main branch of the United States capital's public library system, is the only Ludwig Mies van der Rohe structure in the District of Columbia. The District's M. L. King Jr. main public library is also one of van der Rohe's last major designs and architectual tributes before his death. There is one proposal to demolish the building for condominium apartments or office space during or after 2007. Concerned District of Columbia residents are fighting to stop potential developer demolition and a proposal before the DC Council.

Opponents of demolition have proposed converting the M. L. King Jr. library's large open main floor into a retail bookstore, café (generating self-sustaining revenue for the library), and public performance space, with the basement and upper three floors becoming a digital, research and lending library, plus a landscaped rooftop reading garden — honoring the intent of van der Rohe's original adaptable architectural space design.