Q: What is happening at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library?

A: The Martin Luther King library is undergoing a major renovation, funded by a $2.5 million federal grant. Once completed, this library will double in size, offering expanded services and resources to the community, including more space for meetings and study, more programs and new technology. 

Q: When will the MLK Library renovation be complete?

A: The renovation is expected to be completed in October and open to the public in early November 2025.

Q: How is the city affording this renovation and expansion? Don’t you need more staff too?

A: Thanks to the 2.5M federal grant and strategic internal allocations, we are renovating and expanding without incurring any additional funding from the city of Aurora. For the additional staff needed to operate the full building, we are moving the small teams from Chambers Plaza and Iliff Square libraries to MLK Library. In total, five staff will move for a total of 12 staff at MLK moving forward. 

Q: If you move staff from Chambers Plaza and Iliff Square libraries to MLK Library, what will happen to the small branches?

A: The expansion of MLK comes with impact in the areas of Chambers and Iliff libraries with the reassigning of staff. Since, as a city, we are not in the position of hiring more staff, this means Chambers and Iliff libraries will need to close. These small branches are located in leased facilities and with the closing, the money spent in rent (119K/year) will be redirected to enhance basic library services in dire need, such as increasing materials in the library collection. 

Q: I live close to Iliff Square Library, what are you doing on this side of the city to provide library services after the closing of this library? 

A: To supplement library services in the current Iliff Square Library area, 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; as well, an increased promotion about alternative library services, including online resources, transit options to other, full-service libraries in the area. 

Q: Can’t you just open Martin Luther King and still keep Chambers Plaza and Iliff Square libraries open? 

A: Because the expansion of MLK Library to double its size, we need an additional five staff members for this full-service library. At this point in time, the only way to staff this library is by moving employees from other branches, specifically, from the smaller branches with the least visits. 

Q: What’s the timeline for these changes?

A: Chambers Plaza and Iliff Square libraries will close Oct. 24, leaving a week to finish the move of staff and equipment. The fully renovated and expanded Martin Luther King Library will open Nov. 3, 2025.

Q: How can I stay informed about the changes?

A: Visit AuroraLibrary.org, follow us on social media, or ask a librarian at any branch for more information.