Martin Luther King Library Jr. expands space and services thanks to $2.5M federal grant
The newly renovated Martin Luther King Jr. Library is set to open Nov. 3 with an expanded and modernized space, thanks to a $2.5 million federal grant. The renovation doubles the library’s size, from approximately 7,000 square feet to 14,000 square feet, offering more space for public use and adding new technology, youth learning zones, collaborative spaces and multipurpose rooms—transforming it into a dynamic community hub in northwest Aurora.
To support this expansion and to promote an investment in city-owned full-service branches, the staff members from Chambers Plaza and Iliff Square libraries, the smallest and least-visited branches in the Aurora Public Library system, will be reassigned to the Martin Luther King library. The two branches, located in leased facilities, will close Oct. 24, 2025.
“Doubling the footprint of Martin Luther King Library in northwest Aurora is one of the greatest news of the year for us,” said Ginger White Brunetti, director of Library and Cultural Services. “We understand this comes with impact in the areas around Chambers and Iliff libraries with the reassigning of staff and closing of those facilities. This decision was not easy, and we understand people will be affected.”
As a result, Aurora Public Library will actively promote and educate on alternative library services, including online resources, the Bookmobile, and easy transit options to other, full-service branch facilities.
Chambers Plaza is located in close proximity to three fully equipped libraries in the area — Central, Hoffman and Martin Luther King — and is located along major transit routes connecting with those locations. To supplement library services in the current Iliff Square Library area on the west side of the city, Aurora Public Library is planning increased visits from the Bookmobile to parks, recreational centers and other places in the area where patrons will be able to check out and return items, among other services.
Aurora Public Library is in the last phases of its Strategic and Facilities Master Plan; the expansion of MLK Library aligns seamlessly with the early results of the study and community priorities. Aurora Central Library is next for renovation. Thanks to a $3 million federal grant, it will expand its youth services and other amenities identified in the Strategic and Facilities Master Plan.
For more information, please visit the FAQ section on the Aurora Public Library site.
About Chambers Plaza
Chambers Plaza opened its doors at its current location in January of 2023. In 2024, it received 32,098 visits a year, (out of 561,000 total systemwide), and had 4,236 items checked out. The current leased building is 3,844 square feet and is located in a strip mall at the northwest corner of East Colfax Avenue and Chambers Road. Before this location, an even smaller library with the same name was located inside K-Mart across the street until the retail store closed in 2017. The lease is $67,000 a year.
About Iliff Square Library
Iliff Square Library opened at its current location in May 2016. The 2,185-square-foot facility is on the northwest corner of East Iliff Avenue and South Peoria Street. In 2024, it received 33,915 visits (out of 561,000 total systemwide) and had 10,796 items checked out. The lease is $52,000 a year.
About Martin Luther King Jr. Library
Martin Luther King Jr. Library is located at the center of the Aurora Cultural Arts District and opened in 2004 as part of the city of Aurora’s northwest municipal services building with an original square footage of approx. 7,000 square feet. In 2024, it received 70,275 visits, had 12,164 items checked out, and hosted 1,660 program participants. This community hub serves as an Elections center as well as an extension of the next-door Fletcher Plaza for community events. After the expansion to utilize the full building, the library will offer over 16,500 square feet, offering more programs and computers, more meeting and study space, and new technology such as 3D printing and laser cutters.
About Aurora Public Library
Aurora Public Library serves the city of Aurora at seven branches, one bookmobile, access to digital materials and hundreds of programs. In 2024, it received 560,000 in-person visits, had 1.2 million items checked out, answered more than 330,000 questions from the community, had over 65,000 program participants and hosted 5,700 meetings at its community rooms. Combining all the different ways the library serves the community, Aurora Public Library was used 3.4 million times in 2024 alone. Aurora Public Library is a division of the city of Aurora Library and Cultural Services Department. To learn more, visit AuroraLibrary.org/Library with financial donations and to celebrate the lifetime joys of reading by offering a wide variety of low-cost books the Book Outlet Store, 2243 S. Peoria St. In 2024, it donated $60,000 to Aurora Public Library. To learn more, visit Fapl.Info.