Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2024

MLK Day Discussion and Message – University of Northern Colorado

An open discussion on the importance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and how we can continue to honor Dr. King and his legacy. Introduction by UNC President Dr. Andy Feinstein. Remarks by Dr. Tobias Guzmán, Vice President of Diversity Equity and Inclusion; and Dr. Cedric Howard, Vice President of Student Affairs.

MLK FAQs

• Q: Is this event indoors or outdoors?

  A: This event is completely indoors, with a minor outdoor portion. We’ll be painting the libraries with acrylic paint, which produces no fumes that require ventilation. However, we will spray them at the very end with sealant, which will require them to be outside to dry. We are watching the forecast closely, and will modify/remove that last sealant step if necessary, in order for us to stay safe and warm.

• Q: What do I need to bring/wear?

  A: Because part of this event is painting the libraries, we recommend wearing warm, comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty! We will have tarps, plastic gloves, and booties to try and mitigate mess. All supplies will be provided by us, so you don’t need to bring any tools or supplies.

• Q: I wanted to sign up, but there aren’t any spots left. What can I do to help?

  A: There is so much work that we can do to fight back against book banning and censorship. Currently, books are being challenged at the public-school level in District 6, as well as the public library level at High Plains. Creating access to books through our Little Free Libraries is just one part of fighting back against censorship! Here are several other things you can do to help make sure that everyone has access to challenged books:

  • You can make a financial gift to the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center to help us fund the libraries, including their construction, upkeep, and stock of books! You can do this by going to give2unc.org, entering your gift amount, and writing “Marcus Garvey Cultural Center” in the designation drop-down menu.
  • You can build your ownLittle Free Library and put it in your yard or apartment building.
  • Write to your local and state representatives to tell them why they should stand against book banning in public libraries and schools. Check out the Marcus Garvey Cultural Center’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day web page to see our Read, Watch, Listen, Do, which contains a sample letter to send.
  • Attend local school board meetings and voice your support for keeping books free and available to students in their school library.
  • Read some banned books on your own, as a family, or with friends through the Banned Book Book Club
  • Attend a Banned Books Week
  • Learn about the value and importance of both reading banned books and standing against censorship.
• Q: I noticed that this event is smaller than last year’s. Why is that?

  A: Anyone is welcome to sign up and participate, but our target audience for this event is our UNC community. This event’s model is shifted towards a team model where many of our volunteers are from UNC campus organizations, which limits the number of volunteers we can accept outside of those teams. This is because all the Little Free Libraries that we are building will be going on campus outside of cultural and resource centers, residence halls, and popular student locations, and so we hope that the people most impacted by the libraries to be the ones building them.

• Q: I see that you are accepting book donations. What kind of books are you looking for?

  A: Because of our goal of increasing awareness around curriculum censorship and banned books, we are looking for books that fit in those categories! We greatly appreciate gently used fiction and non-fiction books at all reading levels that cover current events, U.S and world history, environmental issues and climate change, and any book that has been banned, tried to be banned, or is currently being challenged. Here is a non-exhaustive list from 2023 alone: “Banned and Challenged Books”

• Q: Is this event kid-friendly?

  A: Of course! While library construction might be too much for children under 12, we will have High Plains Library District and their Bookmobile there, as well as some fun trivia games and education about banned books.

• Q: How do I sign up?

  A: Please sign up using the Qualtrics form on the MLK website.

• Q: Is it okay if I drop by, even though I didn’t RSVP?

  A: We kindly ask that you not drop-in unless you have signed up and your spot been confirmed. Because of this event’s limited needs for materials and supplies, we unfortunately have a hard cut-off limit for how many people we can support at the MLK event. Please RSVP in advance, and if not, check out our answer to “I wanted to sign up, but there aren’t any spots left. What can I do to help?”

• Q: I have more questions. Who should I reach out to?

  A: Frankie Logan (franciso.logan@unco.edu) or dr. janine weaver-douglas (janine.weaver-douglas@unco.edu)