Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Went there in a desperate attempt to get 2 kids’ passports right before spring break. Nopost office location we tried had appointments for over a month and the walk-​in post offices told us to expect hours waiting. A PO clerk suggested we try the MLK library, so I gave them a call at about 4:30 PM. They said if we got there by 5:30 we would get the passports, regardless of any line. We got there about 5:30. No line. No waiting. The nicest people working there you could ever imagine. They were super helpful and pleasant. But it gets better…
One of the kids was the 1000^th passport application completed at the MLK library, so they had a little celebration, took pictures with us, gave the winner a library thermal cup and all of us key chains. The chief of the library police came and congratulated us. It was so sweet and nice. A special thank you to Nicole, who helped us so ably.
We didn’t spend any time in the library proper, but the people who helped us there were first rate.

I usually visit this library every week or two, and they almost always have what I am looking for. The facility is easy to use and the staff is very helpful. Most of my library excursions simply consist of finding the book I need, checking it out and leaving, so I don’t dwell on the noticeably dated interior and large homeless presence (which is just another facet of urban life). It’s not as exciting and modern as the Shaw and Bellevue libraries, but MLK does effectively serve its purpose.

I definitely vacillate between being a fan and not. The last couple of Thursdays, I took advantage of working from home to walk to the library to retrieve books I had placed on hold.
The first, and only time, this has ever happened, but I couldn’t find my book so promptly at 2 pm on 1÷21÷2016, I asked one of the women working the checkout counter to help me. She went to the holds section to provide a second pair of eyes. No luck. She was so sweet and called around to see if maybe it was still downstairs and hadn’t been brought up. No luck there either. Finally, she suggested calling to make sure the book was in the holds section so I didn’t have to walk back. I didn’t want to be a bother, and instead, she made a recommendation of what to read instead.
Then last Thursday, I asked the gentleman working in the popular books section about requesting books that are not in the system. He informed me that often times, they will take your suggestion and purchase the book with government funds (the library is non-​profit). Unfortunately, he shared, there’s no way to know whether your request was granted and processed without checking so he recommended checking periodically, like after two months of your initial request.
I thought the workers were very good in providing tips, and more importantly, I liked that they cared about the library patrons to make suggestions.

This library is pretty fantastic… I am not in the position to borrow books but I’m coming here for a clean and quiet place to write. I asked the librarian where I should go and what my intentions were and she steered me to try the third floor. There are two large study rooms on the east and west if the building and a computer room on the north side.
From my observations, the attendants are helpful and available.
I really enjoy the historical artifacts around the building… from the pictures, collages statues, to advertisements for upcoming events.
There is way much more black history here than MLK, Jr.
I’m sitting for my session… so this is all I can add.

Definitely not the cleanest or newest facility, but don’t judge a book by its cover! Don’t let the homeless people loitering outside deter you either, I do enjoy this library and the DC public library system in general.
It’s a very big facility and several floors (see picture of the floor directory), with floors 1 and 2 as the main floors. The best way to get to the different levels is to take the elevators — those tiny, dirty elevators — because the stairs are not intuitive and several passages are restricted. I’ve had several run-​ins with the staff in stairwells telling me to go back the way I came because that area was «for employees only.»
When you enter the library, I usually veer right and head to the popular collection on the main floor (computer room is to the left). More often than not, they have the book I’m looking for. I’m a pretty mainstream reader, so while other libraries might have a long wait list for books, this place usually has it! There’s also more books to choose from on the second floor. The popular collection room also has CDs and DVDs (movies, documentaries, TV shows), but despite any attempts to organize everything, it’s a mess and impossible to find anything specific you may be looking for.
When I feel like getting my YA reading on, I’ll head to the second floor to the teen section. They have multiple copies of popular books, and the librarians are really friendly and helpful. There are also computers, magazines, and even some board games for the teens. There’s also a bigger children’s section room on the second floor.
A lot of times when I try to use the self-​checkout, I get a checkout error to go to the desk anyways because the book I want is on hold. The librarians work their magic, and I get to check out the book!
This library has additional services and labs that I haven’t used (like a 3D printer!) and even offers a variety of events (check out
). The online collection is also a great resource for books. As the four-​star rating indicates, Yay! I’m a fan.

The physical facilities are showing their age, badly. But if you are interested in a subject, this library has depth. The staff have always been very helpful.

Kind of a sad main branch library for such a major American City. I feel like I can never find the book I want half the time even when the online catalog says it’s there… some shelving issues. Also, the stairs make NO SENSE whatsoever. I finally figured out that on one side of the building you can actually use the stairs to go upstairs and downstairs into the main parts, although it feels so sketchy and dark and like someone is hiding and going to kill you. If you use the stairs on the other side of the building, then the stairs only lead to doors that are alarmed or off limits and are even creepier in additional to not being functional. Genius design.
The homeless thing every major public library is going to deal with, so whatever, it’s fine, and I’m glad they have somewhere to cool off or warm up during the day.

The library itself and its staff members are great. Very spacious, well-​equipped. BUT, just like any other free establishments in Washington DC, this place has been a get-​away or small heaven for DC’s very large homeless population. Of course, I don’t have any problem with them in general considering that most of them are harmless, but when it comes to library, yes, I have. They are unhygienic and smelly and take space that could be used by others who in need for library services. They are loud and sometimes don’t like if someone else shares their tables. They always put their personal items with bad odor, such us backpacks and bags stuffed with who knows what, on tables. Sometimes study rooms smell awful. My advice to you wash your hands thoroughly or at leas carry germ killer before you leave the library. One time I saw how one of them with extremely runny nose flipping pages while his mucus was dropping on almost every single page! Finally, one lady who was sitting next to me had to call a security officer that escorted him outside. Nevertheless, I still felt bad for him who couldn’t get care, which is another issue. The DC government wastes millions, but can’t afford to house these poor people who have no choices but use libraries and museums in DC as their bed and breakfast.

I like this library. This makes my second time that I’ve been to this branch. Its location to the metro gives it brownie points, and makes it convenient for me. Yes there are homeless people that frequent this. Yes they tend to hang outside the building. But today when I went, no homeless. I couldn’t figure out why. Then I noticed off to the side, police officers standing next to their motorcycles. So maybe that was the reason.
Overall the library is just that… a library. What gets me, I never knew you could have food here. I saw people eating their lunches on the first floor. Everyone was considerate of each other, and it worked.
While there I was met with pleasant employees, who were more than happy to help me in my search in finding a few books.

Don’t get in the way of the workers or even come near them apparently or try to be nice or anything courteous.
I saw a woman restocking the hold shelves in the area where my last name was so instead of interrupting her, I walked around the long way, grabbed my book, and she said «You’re excused.» By the time, I got to my section after walking the long way, she had moved on. Do I have to say «excuse me» when I am grabbing a book in an area you had moved on from?
Then when I was checking out my books, I put my books on the right side of the employee and not her left. She asked me to put them on her left so I did and I said, «I’d like to return these three and check out this one.» She didn’t hear me and said I have to tell her that I am not renewing those three books. Sheesh. High maintenance for a public library.
I will say that when I go to the counter and go back online, I do see my returns processed very quickly. Since they are giving receipts for when you check out the book, I wished they gave out receipts for returns as well as I think that’s more important and you know your books have been returned and have proof.
I think Friday workers are better than Monday ones.

I love libraries because they attack my senses with knowledge, curiosity, and the sight of all those books excite me. I walk in wanting to learn. MLK attacks my senses for all the wrong reasons. Before you even get to the front doors the smell of urine, panhandlers on every side and you can’t sit down without unwanted comments. The library is being used for something it was never intended to be a homeless shelter. Tear it down, start over and extend the hours at the actual homeless shelter.

My first time today at this library. Today is a wednesday.
This library has many great resources: job search, IT help, etc. It is also spacious and has many levels including eating area, computer lab, etc.
They have security walking around all the time.
Pros: spacious, helpful staff, clean facility.
Cons: I do not like the loud announcements on the PA, including poetry readings. I am a college student who likes absolute silence. I tolerate ambient noise.
What I would change: add more study area for laptops and a section for quiet study. Based on a person’s review, I went to the 3^rd floor to study and yes it was the quietest section in the library. The announcements can still be heard all over, however. The ambient noise you will near is going to be the heating vent (which I like, actually, because it reminds me of 1980s movies where the student is studying and everyone is still using number 2 pencil and all you hear is the fan noise and pencil scratching the paper).
On the third floor, there were many rooms not being used when I came in today — career search, etc… They should turn these into quiet study and move the tables from the Black Studies room here. I was in the Black Studies room for 5 hours and Special Collections for 1 hour (moved to Black Studies because the people working with their films were too loud — naturally, of course). There were only 2 other people in the room with me and this room was HUGE.
My point is… The services in this place are being underutilized, let’s face it. You see all sorts of people walking aimlessly around the hall… not a lot of college student types.
Please make more quiet studies and cubicle areas for students!

This is worth a visit. You can easily access it by metro. If I have time in between errands, I sometimes hang out here. The biggest detractor is being asked for change outside (and every once in a while inside) the library. The employees are friendly.

Large, spacious library with limited weekend hours.
Pros
Bike parking
Computers
Self check in
Multiple floors
Great online catalog system
Cons
Not enough open hours
Some interesting people loiter outside the library
Sun. 1 p.m. — 5 p.m.
Mon. 9:30 a.m. — 9 p.m.
Tues. 9:30 a.m. — 9 p.m.
Weds. 9:30 a.m. — 9 p.m.
Thurs. 9:30 a.m. — 9 p.m.
Fri. 9:30 a.m. — 5:30 p.m.
Sat. 9:30 a.m. — 5:30 p.m.
As with most libraries these days, the weekend hours are horrendous. At least this place is even open on the weekends. Many of the nearby libraries (in Arlington, VA as well) aren’t open on the weekends.

This library has so much to offer, but is often judged because of the homeless people that occupy the building during the day. The MLK library serves as a library and a homeless shelter.
I came to this library to study and in the beginning it was a bit of a hassle to find a proper place to study. I’m one of those people that need absolute silence while working and minimal annoyances; however, it’s hard to concentrate when you’re always smelling weird fumes coming from all directions. It’s really frustrating. I want to love this library for its huge space and various collections, but it needs to be better maintained. Yet, I’m glad that the library has opened its doors to assist people in need especially in this cold weather. Despite the environment and the smells, I still come here to study because it is convenient.
A tip to those that want to study with minimal negative externalities is to study on the 3^rd floor in the special collections rooms, that’s where I go and when I’m in that room I am more productive.

I love how big and spacious this library is… but where the computer area is at. Its very loud. Its alot of homeless folks that come here and just talk very loud. I think the staff is scared to tell them to be quiet or something. They need to do something about this. I enjoy coming to the library but the homeless folks have very loud conversations. Its very annoying. Just come here oneday and sit… and observe. This is exactly what goes on here. This library is very close to the Gallery Place metro station. They also let u eat downstairs now a few years they did not let anyone eat downstairs. This is the only library that I know that allow. So that is a major plus! But other than that I really like coming to this library.

While the library offers a plethora of programs for youth, adults and special events hosted by various local community organizations along with a digital lab, 3D printer and a number of free classes, much can be said about the other aspects of this library that can diminish your experience. Regarding the classes, most are introductory like basics of photoshop or intro illustrator cs6 or excel basics and the few times I went, the instructors were knowledgable polite library staff members. Still worthwhile if you’re looking for a free, simple intro to something new. Good selection of books from different genres and for all age groups, ok selection of DVDs. As many people have already noted, some parts of the building could use a touch up. The stairwells always make me think of an episode of ‘City Confidential’ leading me to opt for the elevator… that is reminscient of the killer elevator in ‘Down’ (aka ‘The Shaft’).
A note to the ladies, the few times I’ve made the misjudgment of setting up my laptop here with the intention of studying/​doing work I was ALWAYS interrupted by one of the more colorful library patrons. I noticed a few other women dealt with similar antics from the pushy pickup artist and the like. One guy, even after I told him that I was trying to study for a cert exam, stuck his hand in my face as I tried to review my book, all because I opted to study in the library instead of paying attention to him. The loiterers in the immediate entrance aren’t any better.
If you have a laptop/​tablet and don’t need to use the library resources I suggest bypassing MLK library and heading one block up to the Smithsonian of American Art/​Portraiture and setting up your laptop at the Kogod Courtyard. There’s no outlets in the Kogod though so if your laptop/​tablet has low battery life then head up to the 3^rd floor to the Luce Center and claim a spot at their communal table with outlets. Yes, while just one table it’s unknown to many people so it’s pretty quiet and you should be able to score a spot. There’s no food at luce but there’s a café in the kogod. Double score. The most distraction I’ve gotten from there is a tour group or some kids splashing in the water feature (which is the IRL equalivant of stopping work to watch a cute animal video so it falls in the welcomed distraction category).

Maybe I should give this library another chance. I am so turned off by the run-​down condition, the dirt, the overpowering smell of urine. This is by far the saddest library I have ever been to.

This library is right by the Verizon center and between 2 metro stops. One side is a decent looking area, retail stores, high-​end looking office buildings. The other side there is a church and homeless people all over. The library itself is very spacious and plain. They have free talks in the main area, which is cool? The whole place could use some remodeling, but I guess if you don’t mind the homeless people by the entrance, that shouldn’t matter to you. Convienent location, undesirable bystanders.

Wow. It’s surprising how different one street can be from another in Chinatown. Between 9^th and 10^th Streets NW on G Street, the immediate outside smells like urine and every 10 feet is a homeless person, a loiterer, or both. Construction on what looks to be a high-​end office and retail space directly across the street from the library will hopefully draw more appeal to the area — it looks like most people avoid going down this part of G Street NW.
Inside, this library has the feel of a converted decades-​old warehouse with little to no improvements since it was built — high ceilings, plain décor, off-​putting and dirty lobby, and inefficient security guards makes this a pretty undesirable library in an otherwise decent neighborhood. So much wasted space in the main foyer! Marketing special events here could draw crowds and crowds.

As a former English teacher and current stay at home mom, libraries have been and continue to be a big part of my life. I visit the DC libraries several times a week, and come to the MLK library at least once or twice each week. As DC’s central library, MLK is a phenomenal place in terms of size, meeting room capabilities, and resources. There have been a few nice updates made recently (digital commons on the main floor!) but I think this library will really benefit from the renovation it is slated to receive in the next couple of years. Much of the inside feels quite old, musty, and dingy.
The best part about the library is, in my opinion, the children’s library. It is quite large and the librarians who work in this part are top notch. There is even a separate area designated for «early literacy» — i.e., babies, toddlers, preschoolers. That side room is filled with board and picture books galore (including a pretty decent bilingual section!), development toys/​tumble blocks, a busy board/​activity board that runs the length of a wall, dress-​up clothes, etc. Plenty of room for stroller parking in there and no one will give another thought to it if you have to nurse your baby or even put him/​her down for a nap. I love that the space is NEVER busy (I come to this space so often and have yet to see more than 3 other children here at one time), but I also think it is a resource more people should be aware of and use. The children’s library also hosts daily story times and literacy activities — check the events page to find ones that are age appropriate for your tot. To be honest, I prefer the story times and «classes» at other libraries, but an advantage to coming here is that they are never, ever crowded. And, some libraries won’t conduct their classes if there is not a minimum number of babies in attendance (i.e., 6 minimum at Shaw), but I’ve brought my daughter to classes at MLK and they have gone as scheduled even with just one or two other kiddos! Love that small group feeling.
The popular library on the main floor is very well stocked, to include new hit fiction works (and magazines! cancel your subscriptions and just read ‘em here). There is also a really good collection of CD’s, audiobooks, movie DVD’s and TV series on DVD’s. Non-​fiction selections upstairs are also pretty extensive.
As other people have mentioned, yes, MLK library is somewhat of a haven for the city’s homeless. All people have a right to have access to libraries, of course it is a public space, but I understand how the sheer number of homeless (what’s more, mentally disturbed homeless) people in the library is a turn-​off. Once, while pregnant, I was approached (and somewhat cornered in the elevator area, which is sketchy in itself) by a homeless man who began talking to me. I conversed with him to be polite, despite the fact I couldn’t understand more than half of what he was saying, until he started talking about the size of my belly and breasts and insisted on allowing him to hold my hand (I didn’t feel in danger, but it was a little nerve-​wracking just the same). Also, without fail, the restrooms — which are already in very poor condition — seem to always have a few people permanently stationed in them (and very often camping out in the ONLY handicapped stall which I need to use with a stroller). Just something to be aware of.
Another recent addition has been self-​checkout kiosks. Great idea, but every time I’ve tried to use them, I’ve had to do part of the transaction the old fashioned way (DVDs have to be manually scanned, and a few books I’ve checked out have had scanning issues and needed to as well). Hopefully this will be a technology that will be perfected and instituted at libraries across DC.

I really love this library. I’m glad to see a library that embraces technology. Large selection of recent TV series on DVD and audio books. I am a little disappointed that not many people visit this library they have a great selection of history and political books even for those who are not of the democratic party. More people should use the library for reading books and viewing the great photography that hangs in the gallery.

So, about the homeless. Yes, it happens in and around urban cities that PUBLIC libraries become daytime hangouts, especially when the weather is bad. It is after all, a PUBLIC library. However, I’ve never been hassled or seen anyone panhandling. If the thought if homeless people qua homeless people freaks, creeps or squicks you out, there’s a simple solution called stay out of metropolitan areas.
Now, on to the library. I love this place because I can hit it on the way home from work, especially on Monday & Tuesday because it is open late. I wish it were open late more days, but library funding is usually first on the chopping block, because the world sucks like that. However, it is open on Sunday, which is not the case in my home county. And did I mention D.C.‘s reciprocal system? If you have a card with an adjacent county, you can get a card there.
I understand the big selection of «popular» fiction on the ground floor. But a particular book might also be somewhere else in the building. Or some of an author’s books might be there, but others will be elsewhere. If you have specific books or authors in mind, start with the catalogue. If like me your brain goes into book overload when confronted by lots of books, just run about picking books until you can’t lift any more.
Speaking of books, folks need to cease with the bogarting of David Byrne’s How Music is Made. You know who you are.
If you have kids or enjoy kids books, they have a great selection and their nonfiction is well stocked as well. Except for that Byrne book, STILL checked out at all branches … But I digress.
The staff is always friendly and helpful and unlike some libraries I’ve been in, it is actually quiet. I haven’t had a chance to take advantage of their extra services yet, but in part that’s because I don’t know where to start.