Banned Books Week: Talk at MLK Library

This week is Banned Books Week! This week is held once per year to celebrate the freedom of reading. However, as unsavory, listless, raunchy, boring, inaccurate, salacious, or radical a book may be, individuals in America have a choice to read that book, or not read it. Despite this, various entities consistently attempt to ban books of all types, for a variety of reasons. According to the American Library Association, among the most challenged books of the decade 2000-2009 were these gems:

1. Harry Potter (series), by J.K. Rowling
Well, apparently these book weren't kept out of too many hands. One of the most popular series of my lifetime, and despite whether you loved or hated the series, it was a phenomenon.

4. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell

The only thing I know about this book is that it's basically a picture book based on the lives of two penguins living in Central Park Zoo. They hatch and raise a baby penguin. Sounds simple enough. No, it's not. Because humans. 

6. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou

Seminal piece of American literature. Caged Bird is the first in a series of seven autobiographies by Maya Angelou and it was the first non-fiction best seller by an African American woman. She never stopped writing, reading, and speaking at events, all the way up to her death at age 86 years.

17. The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
Most people our age or older likely know of the movie by the same name. Yes, the film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, but the book won the Pulitzer Prize. 

19. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger
At the time, I considered this a life changing book when I read it in high school. Because what can prepare you for this type of complex writing as a teenager? Not many other books, not many. It made your mind swirl.

28. Bridge To Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson

I have a scene from this book tattooed on my arm. This book really broke you down as a child, but also built your mind along the way; and stretched your imagination. We're better for having read it.

88. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood

Probably too much to call this speculative fiction. But, if you can't challenge the political, religious, and social status quo, in a piece of fiction no less, why write books? Or read them for that matter. Probably my second favorite book from this Canadian author, after Oryx and Crake. 

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As part of Banned Books Week, the MLK Jr Library is hosting a talk today. The title is UNCENSORED and is related to an exhibition on view at the library. From the organizers: 

"UNCENSORED: Artist Talk

A panel discussion, moderated by curator of UNCENSORED and DC Public Library Associate Matthew Mann. The panel will explore the ways in which censorship affects the arts and reveal how the issue of censorship relates to the ideas put forward in their displayed work. September 23, 2014, 6:30pm               Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 901 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Artists participating in Artist Talk: Matthew Mann (moderator) Carolina Mayorga Adrienne Gaither Brian Davis Michael Dax Iacavone Other Public Events Scheduled for Uncensored: Banned Books Week Tuesday, September 23: Read-Out!: Librarians read chapters from favorite banned Harry Potter books. Benning Library, 6pm. Wednesday, September 24: Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran, and DC Public Librarians read passages from their favorite banned literature. MLK Jr. Memorial Library, 6pm. Thursday, September 25: Flash Banned: Freedom of Speech band performance. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 7pm. Monday, September 29: Cabaret actors/singers Barbara Papendorp and Amy Conley pay homage to banned books with "The Naughty List." Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 7pm".

Bikes and Books

Capital Bikeshare at MLK Jr Public Library

Chat with Architects Behind MLK Jr Library Renovation

Model featuring *possible* additions to M:K Jr Library.

The architects behind the new vision of DC's flagship Martin Luther King Jr Library are opening up to questions from the general public. In an internet-based session moderated by the Washington Post's Phil Kennicott, the folks from the Mecanoo/Martinez + Johnson Architecture team will present and later answer individual questions about their proposal to update and transform MLK. The team was one of three finalist and eventually won the design competition to reshape and possibly make major additions to the the aging, but iconic library, located at the corner of 9th and G Sts NW. The talk is on July 10, 12:00 noon. From the organizers:

"Join us on Thursday, July 10 at noon for a free online panel discussion exploring the design of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Renovation.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will have a major renovation and modernization to meet the current and future needs of D.C. residents. The building, designed by modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, is a designated historic landmark. The DC Public Library is now exploring what's possible for this historic building, and what it would take to make it a spectacular central library for the city. Our panelists will discuss the vision for the renovated Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library; the teams experience designing a modern central library; and navigating the District's design approval process.

Panelists:
Philip Kennicott, The Washington Post, Moderator
Francine Houben, Mecanoo
Tom Johnson, Martinez and Johnson Architecture

The program will last one hour. The first 30 minutes will be a conversation with Philip Kennicott, Francine Houben and Tom Johnson. The latter part of the chat will focus on audience questions. The chat will take place on the Library's Spreecast page. People who are interested in submitting questions in advance can email MLKFuture@dc.gov."

Flagship MLK Jr Library Gets Major Redesign

MLK Jr Memorial Library at 9th and G Streets NW

The city has selected the team of Mecanoo/Martinez + Johnson Architecture to reconfigure and reshape the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Library. The iconic library at 901 G Street NW is entering its fourth decade of existence in a changing downtown landscape. It is historic, being one of the last built structures designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe; and his only public library. 

The various review panels tasked with selecting the new plan for the library ultimately narrowed the proposals down to three and chose Mecanoo/Martinez + Johnson. Mecanoo is a Dutch firm and is working with local (DC and NY) partner Martinez + Johnson. 

The exterior of the MLK Library will remain intact, with the most obvious change being the addition of several floors of office and/or retail to the top of the structure. The height of the building would increase from 77 feet to 110 feet. I embedded the Mecanoo proposal below. Keep in mind that the actual renderings, and in fact, the final design will most likely change before the new library is complete. What you see below is a detailed proposal for the new MLK Library, but will continue to evolve as time goes on. 

The big takeaways for me --besides adding additional floors to the building-- are 1) replacing the brick 1st floor facade with glass (huge plus) 2) possible addition of cafes on the first floor, and 3) public green space and gardens on the roof. This is great news. The final three proposals were all very innovative and I look forward to following the progress of team Mecanoo/Martinez + Johnson. 

MLK Renovation Design Ideas, Team 1: Mecanoo + Martinez and Johnson

More Renderings

via Mecanoo/Martinez + Johnson

via Mecanoo/Martinez + Johnson

Martin Luther King Jr Memorial: Photos

Yesterday, the National Park Service opened the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial one day ahead of schedule. The memorial is quite unique; it is the first major memorial on the National Mall to honor an African-American, one of the few that feature a non-President and at 30 feet, it's the tallest statuette on the Mall.

The layout is simple; two long, curving inscription walls, an "entrance way" made of two large mountain-like stones and the carved stone statue of King. Outside the footprint and landscaping of the memorial is the rangers' station and bookstore. From what I understand the memorial will be open to the public until 10pm each day until Thursday. It will close all day Friday and Saturday and reopen for the ticketed dedication on Sunday morning. After the festivities it will be open 24 hours/day like other monuments on the mall.

As far as DC residents getting a first look, well, that opportunity seems to have passed. The only mention I've heard since the announcement is that Mayor Gray is inviting DC residents down to the memorial today, August 23 from 8am-10pm. So, pretty much the same opportunity afforded everyone else, at this point. According to the city, the Mayor and other city leaders will be at the memorial to welcome visitors. At what time, I don't know. Sorry about that. Also, the MLK Jr DC Public Library is actively programming around the unveiling and a schedule can be found here.

FYI, getting there: I took the Metro to Smithsonian station and walked along Independence Ave to the memorial. I've seen all sorts of recommendations, from Farragut to Foggy Bottom to Arlington Cemetery stations. The Independence Ave walk is not suited for people in wheelchairs or large groups, but otherwise seems to be the fastest walking route from a Metro station.

Here are a few photos from yesterday:

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Could This Be Our New Flagship Library?

Here's one vote for moving the District's main library to the Carnegie building in Mt. Vernon Square. The city's main library has resided in the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library building at 9th and G Streets NW since 1970. The Carnegie Library, so named because its construction was made possible by the philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, opened in 1903 in this part of town formerly known as the Northern Liberties. The MLK building is architecturally significant for sure, but what's to say that it has to remain a library?

The MLK building has served dutifully as the central library, but with DC being named one of the most literate cities in the U.S., the residents need a more inviting, prominent space for their flagship library. The Carnegie building would provide this. With failed, non-starter-type attempts to use the building as something other than a library (part of UDC campus, City Museum, National Music Center) the site seems destined to return to its original purpose. What better way to reinvigorate the DC Public Library system? They've struggled over the last few years, closing libraries for renovation and not completing the job (the Shaw Library was closed December 2004, subsequently demolished and remains an empty lot to date). To their credit, DCPL has re-appropriated the construction contracts and opened temporary library facilities.

The development of the Old Convention Center site was finalized this month and a newly constructed main library was not in the mix. According to the Washington Business Journal, the city-owned portion of the site will most likely be sold to a developer and become retail or housing. With an ailing MLK building and an available, historic property in our hands, the city has a chance to elevate a public good to the same level its elevated the private good in terms of downtown development. We should strive not only for the best and brightest new condos and retail options, but for the best and brightest public facilities and opportunities. Let's get on the phones and email to our councilpersons and push for the face lift and repair of the Carnegie building as the new DC Central Library, the gem of public libraries in the U.S.