The grand opening for the NEW branch of the Martin Luther King Library opened its doors on October 18. The keynote speech was given by Martin Luther King III, the son of the famed Civil Rights leader. The new library at 1467 E. Long St. was built on the site of the former Eastside Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, which closed in 1969, when the old Martin Luther King Branch opened (Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. was at that ceremony) at 1600 E. Long St. Dignitaries, including U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, Ohio State House Representatives Bernadine Kennedy Kent and Hearcel Craig, and Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin were among those giving remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony.