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MRS. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
234 Sunset Avenue N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30314

May 27, 1968

Mr. Julian Bond
162 Ehuralee Street, S. W.
Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Julian:

Even before my husband's tragic death, I had been contemplating the creation of a library to house his papers and other materials connected with the present freedom movement. Since his death, my sense of urgency about this matter has grown tremendously.

With Dr. Benjamin Mays, I have just taken steps to see that the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library is immediately initiated. We have appointed a Project Director, Dr. Vincent Harding of Spelman College, and are securing other members of the Project staff. Enclosed is a preliminary sketch of the undertaking which will hopefully become the major center for the collection and study of material, on the Afro-American experience.

Would you be willing to serve as one of 15 people on the Advisory Council for the Library? Your presence would mean much to me and to the Project. Enclosed also, for your information, is a list of other potential Council members whom I am approaching.

The initial meeting of the Council will be Tuesday, July 9th here in Atlanta. If that date should prove utterly impossible for you, the day-long meeting could be held on the 8th or 10th. However, I hope that the 9th will be our meeting day. Further details on the exact meeting place will follow your response.

Although the Southern Christian Leadership Conference is represented on the Council, this is an independent project which, with your help, I shall seek to lead independently. I hope that you will agree to serve on the Council and look forward to hearing from you about the matter. Because of the crush