The Future of the Palm Desert Library

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City of Palm Desert Embarks on an Exciting New Chapter When It Comes to Library Service

The City of Palm Desert has made the decision to end its partnership with the Riverside County Library System. While this partnership has brought valuable resources and services to our residents for many years, libraries have evolved from serving primarily as book warehouses to a place where people convene, collaborate, and create. They are places where individuals come to learn and discover and where people with similar interests come together to learn from one another and build community.

We believe that by managing our own library, we can better tailor our offerings to the unique preferences and demands of Palm Desert residents. This decision allows us to implement more flexible and responsive strategies to address our growing community's diverse educational and cultural needs, ensuring that our residents have access to the most relevant and efficient library services available. While this transition represents a new chapter for Palm Desert, it is driven by our commitment to providing the best possible library experience for our residents, and we remain grateful for the support and collaboration with the Riverside County Library System throughout the years.

Can I Provide My Input?

Yes! Your input is essential as we embark on this exciting project aimed at enhancing our community's library services. Take a few moments to share your thoughts and dreams for a new Palm Desert Library by completing this brief survey: Library Community Survey.

The survey has an area to submit questions, concerns, and ideas. We look forward to learning what you want the future of the Palm Desert Library to be for your friends, family, and neighbors. Please call (760) 776-6460 to request a paper copy of the survey to be mailed to you.

Recent Community Open Houses

In January 2024, the City of Palm Desert hosted two community open houses to solicit feedback from the public on what services. Should you wish for one of our library representatives to visit with your HOA, club, or association, please write us at libraryinfo@palmdesert.gov.

Background & History of the Palm Desert Library

The Palm Desert Library opened at the Portola Community Center in 1962 and remained operational at the facility until 1996. Since its inception, the County of Riverside has managed the library. However, the County contracted out its library services, first to the City of Riverside and later to a company, now known as LSS. In 1996, the library was moved from the Portola Ave. location to its current location on the College of the Desert campus.

The new library was established in partnership with the City of Palm Desert (City), the County of Riverside (County), and the Desert Community College District (College). The facility includes 40,000 square feet, which is divided into a 20,000-square-foot City library and the remaining space for a College library (unoccupied since January 2020). There is some shared space (joint-use area) as well.

In 2023, the City of Palm Desert started investigating a municipal-run library alternative.


Original Palm Desert Library on Portola Ave. (1962)



What’s Happening

What exciting changes are coming to the Palm Desert Library in the future?

On June 8, 2023, the City Council appointed a library task force to assist City staff with converting the Palm Desert Library into a City-run library. Then, on October 12, 2023, the City Council unanimously voted to establish a municipal library and separate library services from the Riverside County Library System. This decision allows the library to tailor our library needs specifically to Palm Desert and keep more library tax dollars in Palm Desert.

Who is leading the efforts to make these changes?

Our goal is to create a best-in-class public library. A citizen group, working collaboratively with city leadership, has been charged to help create a near-term plan to successfully transition library operations to open in the existing facility on July 1, 2024. The team is also working to develop a long-term strategic vision, facilities master plan, and organizational strategy to develop the future objectives for the Palm Desert Library.

The City has hired Dr. Gary Shaffer to be the next Library Director. Gary has directed libraries in Glendale, CA, and Tulsa, OK, and has experience working for libraries in Brooklyn, Los Angeles County, and Sacramento. The city has also engaged a national consultant team known for their expertise in assisting libraries throughout the country to reimagine the library of the future. We are fortunate to have this dynamic team working to design the future library vision for Palm Desert.


During the Transition

When will the transition happen?

Beginning July 1, 2024, the City of Palm Desert will operate the former County-operated public library, located at 73-300 Fred Waring Drive on the College of the Desert campus, as a municipal library. Palm Desert will join Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage as the only Coachella Valley cities with independent libraries.

Will the Palm Desert Library close during this transition?

Yes. From May 1 to June 30, 2024, the library will close for a physical space “refresh" and transition of services. Online services will remain available from the County. You will still be able to use your Riverside County Library System card at other nearby County libraries during this time (e.g., La Quinta, Cathedral City, etc.). The new city-led library is also planning a series of partnerships with local libraries, pop-up library services, and new initiatives that will provide some literary services and programs throughout the closure period. Stay tuned as those exciting new programs will be announced.


The Future of Palm Desert Library

Will I have access to the services we enjoy now?

Yes, you will continue to have access to the library services you currently enjoy. Over the next few years, the City-led library will maintain services at the existing Palm Desert Library location. Additionally, the long-term plan will guide the future library strategy, ensuring the provision of services and programs for a broader community.

May I still borrow books from other libraries?

Yes, within 60 days of opening, the City of Palm Desert plans to join a consortium of over 400 public and academic library outlets that share their books with one another. If Palm Desert does not own an item you are looking for, you can request it via the library’s catalog from one of the other libraries, and it will be delivered to the Palm Desert Library for you to pick up.

You will still be able to use your Riverside County Library System card to borrow items and pick-up at nearby County libraries.

Is the new library system accessible to residents outside of Palm Desert?
Yes, the new library system is accessible to all California residents, regardless of their location.

Will there be a brand-new Palm Desert public library in the future?

The city has initiated plans to construct a new public library within the next 3-5 years. Meanwhile, the current location will serve as a pilot for testing the future of library services in Palm Desert under the concept called "Library as Laboratory." This concept transforms the traditional library into a dynamic hub for hands-on learning and exploration. It fosters experimentation, learning, and creativity, providing diverse resources and collaborative environments for all ages. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!


Will the community be able to contribute to the future vision?

Yes! We want to hear from you. The city sees this as a chance to build a new vision for the Palm Desert Library system with the community. Your input is crucial as we embark on this exciting project to elevate our library services. Please take a few moments to share your thoughts through this questionnaire: Library Questionnaire (English) or Library Questionnaire (Spanish). We encourage you to share the survey with your family, friends, and neighbors.

What if I have questions?
The last question in the survey welcomes your thoughts, questions, and concerns about the future of the Palm Desert Library for your community. We're eager to hear from you!

If you have other questions about library service after July 1, 2024, you may email libraryinfo@palmdesert.gov

City of Palm Desert Embarks on an Exciting New Chapter When It Comes to Library Service

The City of Palm Desert has made the decision to end its partnership with the Riverside County Library System. While this partnership has brought valuable resources and services to our residents for many years, libraries have evolved from serving primarily as book warehouses to a place where people convene, collaborate, and create. They are places where individuals come to learn and discover and where people with similar interests come together to learn from one another and build community.

We believe that by managing our own library, we can better tailor our offerings to the unique preferences and demands of Palm Desert residents. This decision allows us to implement more flexible and responsive strategies to address our growing community's diverse educational and cultural needs, ensuring that our residents have access to the most relevant and efficient library services available. While this transition represents a new chapter for Palm Desert, it is driven by our commitment to providing the best possible library experience for our residents, and we remain grateful for the support and collaboration with the Riverside County Library System throughout the years.

Can I Provide My Input?

Yes! Your input is essential as we embark on this exciting project aimed at enhancing our community's library services. Take a few moments to share your thoughts and dreams for a new Palm Desert Library by completing this brief survey: Library Community Survey.

The survey has an area to submit questions, concerns, and ideas. We look forward to learning what you want the future of the Palm Desert Library to be for your friends, family, and neighbors. Please call (760) 776-6460 to request a paper copy of the survey to be mailed to you.

Recent Community Open Houses

In January 2024, the City of Palm Desert hosted two community open houses to solicit feedback from the public on what services. Should you wish for one of our library representatives to visit with your HOA, club, or association, please write us at libraryinfo@palmdesert.gov.

Background & History of the Palm Desert Library

The Palm Desert Library opened at the Portola Community Center in 1962 and remained operational at the facility until 1996. Since its inception, the County of Riverside has managed the library. However, the County contracted out its library services, first to the City of Riverside and later to a company, now known as LSS. In 1996, the library was moved from the Portola Ave. location to its current location on the College of the Desert campus.

The new library was established in partnership with the City of Palm Desert (City), the County of Riverside (County), and the Desert Community College District (College). The facility includes 40,000 square feet, which is divided into a 20,000-square-foot City library and the remaining space for a College library (unoccupied since January 2020). There is some shared space (joint-use area) as well.

In 2023, the City of Palm Desert started investigating a municipal-run library alternative.


Original Palm Desert Library on Portola Ave. (1962)



What’s Happening

What exciting changes are coming to the Palm Desert Library in the future?

On June 8, 2023, the City Council appointed a library task force to assist City staff with converting the Palm Desert Library into a City-run library. Then, on October 12, 2023, the City Council unanimously voted to establish a municipal library and separate library services from the Riverside County Library System. This decision allows the library to tailor our library needs specifically to Palm Desert and keep more library tax dollars in Palm Desert.

Who is leading the efforts to make these changes?

Our goal is to create a best-in-class public library. A citizen group, working collaboratively with city leadership, has been charged to help create a near-term plan to successfully transition library operations to open in the existing facility on July 1, 2024. The team is also working to develop a long-term strategic vision, facilities master plan, and organizational strategy to develop the future objectives for the Palm Desert Library.

The City has hired Dr. Gary Shaffer to be the next Library Director. Gary has directed libraries in Glendale, CA, and Tulsa, OK, and has experience working for libraries in Brooklyn, Los Angeles County, and Sacramento. The city has also engaged a national consultant team known for their expertise in assisting libraries throughout the country to reimagine the library of the future. We are fortunate to have this dynamic team working to design the future library vision for Palm Desert.


During the Transition

When will the transition happen?

Beginning July 1, 2024, the City of Palm Desert will operate the former County-operated public library, located at 73-300 Fred Waring Drive on the College of the Desert campus, as a municipal library. Palm Desert will join Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage as the only Coachella Valley cities with independent libraries.

Will the Palm Desert Library close during this transition?

Yes. From May 1 to June 30, 2024, the library will close for a physical space “refresh" and transition of services. Online services will remain available from the County. You will still be able to use your Riverside County Library System card at other nearby County libraries during this time (e.g., La Quinta, Cathedral City, etc.). The new city-led library is also planning a series of partnerships with local libraries, pop-up library services, and new initiatives that will provide some literary services and programs throughout the closure period. Stay tuned as those exciting new programs will be announced.


The Future of Palm Desert Library

Will I have access to the services we enjoy now?

Yes, you will continue to have access to the library services you currently enjoy. Over the next few years, the City-led library will maintain services at the existing Palm Desert Library location. Additionally, the long-term plan will guide the future library strategy, ensuring the provision of services and programs for a broader community.

May I still borrow books from other libraries?

Yes, within 60 days of opening, the City of Palm Desert plans to join a consortium of over 400 public and academic library outlets that share their books with one another. If Palm Desert does not own an item you are looking for, you can request it via the library’s catalog from one of the other libraries, and it will be delivered to the Palm Desert Library for you to pick up.

You will still be able to use your Riverside County Library System card to borrow items and pick-up at nearby County libraries.

Is the new library system accessible to residents outside of Palm Desert?
Yes, the new library system is accessible to all California residents, regardless of their location.

Will there be a brand-new Palm Desert public library in the future?

The city has initiated plans to construct a new public library within the next 3-5 years. Meanwhile, the current location will serve as a pilot for testing the future of library services in Palm Desert under the concept called "Library as Laboratory." This concept transforms the traditional library into a dynamic hub for hands-on learning and exploration. It fosters experimentation, learning, and creativity, providing diverse resources and collaborative environments for all ages. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!


Will the community be able to contribute to the future vision?

Yes! We want to hear from you. The city sees this as a chance to build a new vision for the Palm Desert Library system with the community. Your input is crucial as we embark on this exciting project to elevate our library services. Please take a few moments to share your thoughts through this questionnaire: Library Questionnaire (English) or Library Questionnaire (Spanish). We encourage you to share the survey with your family, friends, and neighbors.

What if I have questions?
The last question in the survey welcomes your thoughts, questions, and concerns about the future of the Palm Desert Library for your community. We're eager to hear from you!

If you have other questions about library service after July 1, 2024, you may email libraryinfo@palmdesert.gov