Ever wonder what's happening in the classroom down the hall or the lab two buildings over? We do too, and we're doing something about it.

The A&S communications team is making its way across the College — into labs, offices, archives and classrooms — to meet our accomplished colleagues and introduce them to you. With hundreds of faculty and staff across dozens of departments and centers, there's no shortage of remarkable people, places and projects to discover.

Where we visited: The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, located on the second floor of Sims Hall. Our tour was hosted by Joan Bryant, associate professor of African American Studies.

A Library Built by Students

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is a unit of the Department of African American Studies (AAS) and holds a unique distinction as the University’s only departmental library. Its origins trace back to 1969, when African American students launched the library with a single shelf of books housed in the former Black Cultural Center.

That modest beginning reflected a far-reaching vision. Through sustained advocacy and collaboration with faculty, staff, administrators and external donors, students helped build a sizable collection dedicated to making Black lives, histories and cultural practices the focus of academic exploration. Their efforts also helped press the University to create an African American Studies program, which became the library’s academic home in 1971. As AAS expanded into a department, the library’s resources grew alongside it, supporting interdisciplinary teaching and research focused on people of African descent.

One of the library’s defining features continues to be the role of students, who oversee daily operations, assist visitors and help steward the collection. This hands-on responsibility offers learning opportunities well beyond the classroom, fostering research skills and leadership experience.

What We Found: A space that is both scholarly and personal. The library brings together books, art and historically significant materials.

Highlights of the visit included:

• Some of the library’s most treasured items on display, including a letter from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and an autographed poster from a visit by Martin Luther King III to the University and the library.
• Rare and uncommon books by and about people of African descent throughout the world.
• A unique setting adorned with original print and ceramic works by artists including David MacDonald, Joe Flores and Patrick Morelli.

Supporting Scholarship Across the University

The library’s mission reflects an institutional commitment to accessible resources across diverse formats and subject areas. Community visitors and guests are invited to explore this thoughtfully curated space where they will be supported by knowledgeable student staff who guide engagement with rare books and exhibits that enrich teaching, learning and community dialogue.

The A&S communications team spotlights faces and spaces across the College. Where should we visit next? What faculty or staff member do you think your colleagues should read about? Reach out through our contact form for consideration.