The Learning Commons is closed Saturday through Monday in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Take some time to learn about why we celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the fight for African American civil rights.
Here are some library resources to get you started.
About Martin Luther King, Jr. and MLK Day
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) (reference article, 2012) from African American Almanac
A detailed biography of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (reference article, 2023) from Encyclopedia Britannica
This shorter article explains how the holiday came about.
Films available through the library
“I Have a Dream” Speech (17-min. film clip, 2012) by Educational Video Group
“On August 28, 1963, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech to 200,000 listeners.” This was one of MLK’s most famous speeches.
Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Movement 1954 – 1985 (14-episode series, 1994, approx. 1 hour each) by PBS
“Tells the definitive story of the civil rights era from the point of view of the ordinary men and women whose extraordinary actions launched a movement that changed the fabric of American life, and embodied a struggle whose reverberations continue to be felt today.”
Where Do We Go from Here? A Dialogue on Race (58-min. film, 2000) by The College of Charleston
“Blends potent archival footage and photos with group discussion to sensitively explore race relations in the U.S.”