COLUMBUS — The Columbus Metropolitan Library welcomes the eldest son of the late Martin Luther King Jr., who will dedicate a new branch library named for his father Thursday afternoon.
Martin Luther King III will cut the ribbon at the library’s opening event almost 50 years after his grandfather dedicated the existing Martin Luther King branch east of downtown Columbus.
That location, which opened in 1969, was the first public library named after the slain civil rights leader.
At 18,000 square feet, the new King branch, located at 1467 E. Long Street, will be more than twice as large as the current facility. It will offer more computers, a homework help center and a space for community gatherings.
A library spokesman says the existing location, at 2600 E. Long Street, has closed and the building will be sold.
Earlier in the day, King will visit the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Columbus academy where he will meet with students and read his book, “My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior” to 350 kindergartners and first-graders.