Photo by ElvertBarnes

While the Martin Luther King Jr. Library undergoes three years of renovations, downtown patrons will be able to visit an interim library at 1990 K Street NW, DCPL announced today.

The library is set to close sometime in 2017, with a re-opening date scheduled for 2020, to complete a major overhaul of the 44 year-old building.

The future of the Mies van der Rohe building has been hotly debated over the past few years, with initial plans for possible office or residential space above the building eventually getting nixed. DCPL released a set of renderings last year from architects Martinez + Johnson and Mecanoo that show a single extra floor, a ground-level cafe, performance space, and rooftop gardens, among other new additions. The total cost is still to be determined, but early estimates are between $200 million and $225 million.

While the work is under way, DCPL will set up what it is calling the “Library Express” at a downtown office building, pending D.C. Council approval. The new space will be just 5,800 square feet, with a small collection of books, 8-12 public computers, space for holds and pick-ups, and a room for Adult Literacy and Center for Accessibility services. The library says they will “enhance services at libraries citywide and increase outreach services” to help make up for the shortfall.

The library also plans to lease another 24,125 square feet of office space in the same building for administrative offices. It is still working with the Department of General Services on finding a location for storing and distributing the collection (the Penn Center at 326 R Street NE has been floated as one idea).