Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
🏢 San José Public Library & San José State University · Downtown San Jose, California
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
Rising eight stories above downtown San José, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library is the nation's first library co-managed by a major public university and a large-city public library system — a half-million-square-foot landmark where any California resident and every SJSU student share the same shelves, 300+ computers, and world-class special collections under one roof.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 8am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 8am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 8am–8pm |
| Thursday | 8am–8pm |
| Friday | 8am–6pm |
| Saturday | 8am–6pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–6pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 150 E San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: (408) 808-2000
Website: sjpl.org
Plus Code: 849W84P7+6X (San Jose, CA)
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📖 About Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library opened on August 15, 2003 as a historic first: the only library in the United States jointly operated by a large public university — San José State University — and a major city public library system — San José Public Library. The partnership was formalized in a 1999 operating agreement; architect Gunnar Birkerts (design) and Carrier Johnson (executive) created the 8-story, 475,000-square-foot building, the largest library constructed in a single project in the western United States. The library holds over 1.5 million volumes, seats more than 3,500 people, and attracts over 2 million visitors annually. It serves simultaneously as SJSU's main academic library and as the flagship branch of the 25-location SJPL system, giving every San José cardholder access to federal and California state government document depositories, 40 group study rooms, a children's room, a teen center, and three internationally significant research archives — the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies, the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies (the world's largest John Steinbeck archive), and the California Room for local Silicon Valley history. The building achieved LEED Silver certification (Operations & Maintenance) and contains 34 public art installations by artist Mel Chin.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Nation's first joint-use library: SJPL and SJSU co-manage the building under a 1999 agreement — any California resident with an SJPL card has full access alongside SJSU students
- 8-story, 475,000 sq ft landmark designed by architect Gunnar Birkerts; holds 1.5M+ volumes, seats 3,500+ people, and logs 2M+ visitors per year
- Three world-class 5th-floor research archives: Beethoven Studies (Ira F. Brilliant Center), Steinbeck Studies (world's largest archive, 40,000+ items), and the California Room for local and Silicon Valley history
- Selective U.S. Federal Depository Library (since 1962) and full California State depository — free public access to government documents
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Collection on the 3rd floor, with a 100-pound bronze bust by sculptor Sascha Schnittmann (donated by KQED in 2013)
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Every SJPL cardholder can borrow, stream, and research free through King Library's digital platforms:
📚 Services
- 300+ public computers and free Wi-Fi system-wide
- Nearly 40 group study rooms (reservable)
- Children's Room (Wee Explore PlaySpace) and TeenHQ teen center
- On-site café
- California Room — local and Silicon Valley history research
- SJPL Works — career, job, and business resources
- Social Work in the Library program
- Printer, scanner, and copier access
- Link+ statewide interlibrary loan
- Free 90-minute parking at 4th Street Garage; VTA bus and Light Rail access
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and STEAM activities
- Coding workshops and digital literacy sessions
- MyConnectSV community navigation services
- Special Collections reading room (5th floor, by appointment)
- Public art tours featuring 34 Mel Chin installations and the Koret Atrium LED lending-statistics display
📍 Nearby Libraries in Santa Clara County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in San Jose · Browse all California libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the King Library open to the public, or only to SJSU students?
The King Library is fully open to the public. Any California resident can get a free San José Public Library card — online at sjpl.org or at the circulation desk — and use the building, public computers, study rooms, café, and check out SJPL materials. SJPL cardholders can also request borrowing access to SJSU-owned books on-site. SJSU electronic databases are accessible on personal devices via the campus Wi-Fi network or on public computers inside the building.
What is the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Collection?
Located on the 3rd floor, the collection includes books, videos, and audio recordings documenting Dr. King and the broader civil rights movement, plus a gallery of photographs and newspaper clippings forming a timeline of Dr. King's life. The centerpiece is a three-times life-size bronze bust of Dr. King sculpted by Sascha Schnittmann — originally unveiled in 1972 by Coretta Scott King at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, and donated to the library by KQED in 2013.
What world-class research archives are available at King Library?
The 5th floor hosts three internationally recognized centers open to the public by appointment: the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies (an extensive library and museum dedicated to Beethoven's life and works), the Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies (the world's largest John Steinbeck archive, with 40,000+ items including manuscripts and correspondence), and the California Room (San José and Silicon Valley local history with rare and archival materials). King Library is also a selective congressional Federal Depository Library (since 1962) and a full California State document depository.
Who designed the King Library, and what makes it architecturally notable?
Gunnar Birkerts served as design architect, with Carrier Johnson as executive architects and Anderson Brulé as local associates. Groundbreaking was in October 2000; the building opened August 15, 2003. At 8 stories and 475,000 square feet, it is the largest library built in a single construction project in the western United States and holds LEED Silver certification. Thirty-four public art installations by Mel Chin titled 'Recolecciones' are distributed throughout the building, and the Koret Atrium features an LED display showing real-time circulation statistics.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
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