Location

150 E. San Fernando St., San José, CA 95112

Hours

Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sunday 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Phone

(408) 808-2000

Website

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library is conveniently located at 150 E. San Fernando St., San José, CA 95112, serves as a main hub for the San Jose Public Library system and San Jose State University (SJSU). This unique collaboration offers extensive resources to the public and the university community. The library's operating hours provide to a wide range of visitors, from early morning until evening throughout the week. There are nine floors in the library that offer a variety of services. 

Facilities and Services

While the library offers free wireless internet and numerous public computers, it's worth mentioning the importance of technological support provided. This service is essential for students and faculty who rely on up-to-date technology for their academic and research needs. Additionally, the library's commitment to staying current with technological trends is clear in its regular updates to hardware and software, ensuring all students have access to the latest digital resources.

• Public Access and Collections: The first three floors are dedicated to the public, offering a wide display of collections that supply diverse interests and research needs. Public library cardholders are also privileged to access and borrow from most of the university's collections.
• Technology and Computing: Free wireless internet access and numerous public computers are available, requiring a current San Jose library card. Additionally, SJSU students, faculty, and staff may borrow computers, iPads, hotspots, and more at no charge from Student Computing Services (SCS) located on the 4th floor.  Student Technology Resources Information
• Special Collections: The library offers several special collections, increasing the research materials available to visitors.
• Study Rooms: Available to book online ahead of time. Book your study room. 

 Every last weekend of the month they host their thrift book store sale outside the library at the SJSU entrance. An entire bag of books can be created for cheap (see picture with prices detailed). All genres accepted for donations.

Prices for books and other items.

Thrift Discount Book Store: Located on the first floor, the store provides a variety of books at discounted prices, with book sales occurring every last weekend of the month.

Community Engagement

The Thrift Discount Book Store offers more than discounted books; it's a community hub that encourages a passion for reading and supports the library 's funding. The monthly book sale event is a significant occasion for the community to share their desire for books, find rare editions, and contribute to the library's success. Highlighting the event's environment, the importance of community it builds, and the variety of books available can provide a more understanding of its importance. 

Historical  Background

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library introduced a joint experience between San Jose State University (SJSU) and the City of San Jose, which began on August 15, 2003. This unique collaboration, the first in the United States, combines a major university's library with a city's main public library. Announced in 1997 by city and university leaders, the project aimed to create a shared space that promotes learning and community engagement.

Named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the library was designed by a team of renowned architects and built to accommodate over 1.5 million volumes. It features immense seating, numerous study rooms, and advanced technological resources, including public access computers and Wi-Fi. The facility also provides significant public art buildings, improving its cultural and educational impact.

Today, the King Library stands as evidence of innovative collaboration, attracting visitors from around the globe interested in its successful model and the vibrant community it serves.

For additional information: History of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library

Special collections

The special collections at the King Library deserve more spotlight for their unique contributions to research and cultural preservation. The Ira F. Brillant Center for Beethoven Studies is not just a storage of Beethoven's works but also a center for scholarly research and public exhibitions that search into the composer's life and legacy. It hosts regular events, including performances and lectures, that attract scholars and music enthusiasts alike.

The California Room is a gem of local history, providing priceless resources for researchers, historians, and anyone interested in the development of California. Its collections offer a peek into the state's past through a wide array of materials, including rare maps and photographs.

The King Library houses several special collections, including: 

• The Ira F. Brillant Center for Beethoven Studies, located on the 5th floor.
• The California Room, featuring books, maps, census data, photos, and other information California history, located on the 5th floor.
• The Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies, located in room 590, on the 5th floor.

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