SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A south Sacramento library is undergoing renovations for the first time in more than 50 years.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Library, located on 24th Street Bypass north of Meadowview Road, will be closed for at least a year due to the renovations.
The library will close Dec. 29 to prepare for construction, with renovations starting in February, and a reopening planned for 2026, according to library officials. The design of the renovated building is aimed to make it more “modern, durable and easy to maintain."
“During the closure, we will explore additional ways to provide library services, including hosting programs at alternative locations and bookmobile stops in the neighborhood,” the Sacramento Public Library wrote in a news release.
Renovations will include enhancements in the children’s and teens’ spaces, an expansion of the community room, and a quiet study space.
Officials said the library needs a new HVAC system, restroom improvements and a seismic construction upgrade, all of which are included in the restoration project.
The branch will also have an Automated Materials Handling System (AMHS) allowing staff to process items faster.
The five-foot black granite sculpture at the building entrance, entitled “Africa Emerging,” will remain onsite, the library said.
Funding for the restoration project is through a $5.6 million grant from the California State Library given to the city of Sacramento in 2022. The grant is in support of renovation to replace outdated building systems and improving accessibility, the library said.
The MLK Jr. Library opened in 1970 and hasn't received a full restoration in its 54-year history. Library officials said the 15,100-square-foot building had received minor work in the past, including new furniture and a music studio, but most of the interior remained untouched.
The library’s book drop will be closed while construction is ongoing and other services will be available at other locations.
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