Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?'"

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

To commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library is proud to present Indiana author and historian Ray Boomhower on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 6:30pm in the Lora Hussey Room. Mr. Boomhower will talk about his book, "Robert F. Kennedy and the 1968 Indiana Primary," and how Kennedy's unplanned speech upon hearing of Dr. King's death on the evening of April 4, 1968 is credited with helping to keep Indianapolis free from the violent riots that erupted in other cities that night. To learn more about Robert F. Kennedy, visit the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

“It is the ideal of freedom which underlines our great concern for civil rights. Nations around the world look to us for leadership not merely by strength of arms, but by the strength of our convictions. We not only want, but we need, the free exercise of rights by every American. We need the strength and talent of every American. We need, in short, to set an example of freedom for the world- and for ourselves.”

-Robert F. Kennedy

On Monday, January 16, 2012, from 2-3pm, bring your kindergarten- through third-graders to the Mayfield North and South Rooms at the Library for the program, “Leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”, where they will learn about the leadership of Dr. King through activities and stories focused on the pivotal events of his life. Registration is required.

After the program, continue to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by doing something helpful for your community and your fellow man. The Corporation for National and Community Service MLK Day of Service encourages you to “make it a day on, not a day off.” United We Serve offers an online resource for finding as well as creating volunteer opportunities in your community. The Library offers many volunteer opportunities, too.

Now through April 15, 2012, you can watch and listen to a holographic recreation of Robert F. Kennedy’s famous 1968 speech in Indianapolis when you go to the “You Are There” exhibit at Indiana State Historical Society. I attended this exhibit and found it remarkable and moving.

Visit the The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change to learn more about “…one of the most important figures of the 20th century, not only for African-Americans but for all those seeking freedom, justice, equality and peace.” Visit the Library to see book displays in support of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and related topics. The books are here year-round, of course, so you can continue to learn about the leadership and vision of Dr. King every day as you nurture your own and offer your skills to your community.