New Palm Desert Library Project

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The City of Palm Desert is planning to build and operate a city-owned library and adjacent community building on the Civic Center campus over the next few years. The project will feature a library and an adjacent community building. The community building will feature a Palm Desert Visitor Center, a cafe, and a large community meeting room.



New Library FAQs

Q: Why is a new library being built, when the existing building appears suitable for current needs?

  • A: The City of Palm Desert does not own the current library, but instead leases the facility from the College of the Desert (COD). COD has plans for the library once the lease expires, thus, the City must vacate the space.

Q: What is the square footage of the new library?

  • A: The new library project has two components. The physical library, which is 20,198 square feet, and an adjacent community building that measures 5,720 square feet.

Q: What will the new library look like?

  • A: The new library will be modern and built for the desert with hearty yet beautiful surfaces. The orientation of the building limits sun exposure, and the building will feature a shade structure that mimics a palm grove’s canopy.

Q: How much will the new library cost?

  • A: The current estimated cost of the building is $30 million. This is in line with other similar library projects in California. The funds are being sourced as follows:
    • Capital Bonds: $20 million
    • Measure G: $6 million
    • County of Riverside: $4 million

Q: Where will the new library be located?

  • A: The library will be located adjacent to Civic Center Park near the Holocaust Memorial. This is the current site of the Parkview office building. The City has leased out space in this building to various entities for over 30 years. Unfortunately, the current costs of needed mandatory improvements to the Parkview building exceed any hoped-for rent.

Q: What is the timeline for the new library?

  • A: The planned timeline is as follows:
    • Demolition of Parkview Building: Early 2026
    • Construction: Summer 2026 – December 2027
    • Opening: Early 2028

Q: Will the new library have a community meeting space?

  • A: Yes, the new library project will feature both large and smaller community meeting rooms. The large community room will be housed in a separate, but adjacent building, so that it may be available during hours when the library is not open.

Q: Will there be any interruptions in library services prior to the new building opening?

  • A: We anticipate a brief disruption to service as we transfer equipment, supplies, some furniture, and collections from one facility too the other. We commit to making any disruption as short as possible.

Q: Will the new library have a curbside book drop?

  • A: The current plan calls for a curbside book drop.

Q: Will the hours change with the new library?

  • A: While library hours should remain fluid so that they may change based on changing community needs, there is no plan to alter hours for the new facility.


About the Palm Desert Library
Original Palm Desert Library on Portola Ave. (1962)

The Palm Desert Library, a cornerstone of the City of Palm Desert, offers a welcoming space for residents and visitors to explore a vast collection of books, multimedia resources, and community programs. Located conveniently in the heart of the city, the library provides a modern, comfortable environment with state-of-the-art facilities.

Visitors can enjoy a diverse range of services, including free Wi-Fi, public computers, study rooms, and a variety of educational and cultural events tailored to all ages. Whether you're looking to borrow the latest bestseller, attend a workshop, or participate in a children's storytime session, the Palm Desert Library is a hub for learning, creativity, and connection.

  • VISION: A Palm Desert where everyone belongs and is filled with promise, progress, play, and prosperity.
  • MISSION: The Palm Desert Library nurtures community well-being through social, cultural, and learning experiences.
  • WE VALUE: Curiosity, Discovery, Exploration, Imagination, and Health & Happiness.

If you have other questions, you may email libraryinfo@palmdesert.gov(External link).

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 current 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, but with plans for the future).

On July 1, 2024, the City of Palm Desert took over the operations of the Palm Desert Library. It now operates as a municipally-run library. All staff are City of Palm Desert employees.


The City of Palm Desert is planning to build and operate a city-owned library and adjacent community building on the Civic Center campus over the next few years. The project will feature a library and an adjacent community building. The community building will feature a Palm Desert Visitor Center, a cafe, and a large community meeting room.



New Library FAQs

Q: Why is a new library being built, when the existing building appears suitable for current needs?

  • A: The City of Palm Desert does not own the current library, but instead leases the facility from the College of the Desert (COD). COD has plans for the library once the lease expires, thus, the City must vacate the space.

Q: What is the square footage of the new library?

  • A: The new library project has two components. The physical library, which is 20,198 square feet, and an adjacent community building that measures 5,720 square feet.

Q: What will the new library look like?

  • A: The new library will be modern and built for the desert with hearty yet beautiful surfaces. The orientation of the building limits sun exposure, and the building will feature a shade structure that mimics a palm grove’s canopy.

Q: How much will the new library cost?

  • A: The current estimated cost of the building is $30 million. This is in line with other similar library projects in California. The funds are being sourced as follows:
    • Capital Bonds: $20 million
    • Measure G: $6 million
    • County of Riverside: $4 million

Q: Where will the new library be located?

  • A: The library will be located adjacent to Civic Center Park near the Holocaust Memorial. This is the current site of the Parkview office building. The City has leased out space in this building to various entities for over 30 years. Unfortunately, the current costs of needed mandatory improvements to the Parkview building exceed any hoped-for rent.

Q: What is the timeline for the new library?

  • A: The planned timeline is as follows:
    • Demolition of Parkview Building: Early 2026
    • Construction: Summer 2026 – December 2027
    • Opening: Early 2028

Q: Will the new library have a community meeting space?

  • A: Yes, the new library project will feature both large and smaller community meeting rooms. The large community room will be housed in a separate, but adjacent building, so that it may be available during hours when the library is not open.

Q: Will there be any interruptions in library services prior to the new building opening?

  • A: We anticipate a brief disruption to service as we transfer equipment, supplies, some furniture, and collections from one facility too the other. We commit to making any disruption as short as possible.

Q: Will the new library have a curbside book drop?

  • A: The current plan calls for a curbside book drop.

Q: Will the hours change with the new library?

  • A: While library hours should remain fluid so that they may change based on changing community needs, there is no plan to alter hours for the new facility.


About the Palm Desert Library
Original Palm Desert Library on Portola Ave. (1962)

The Palm Desert Library, a cornerstone of the City of Palm Desert, offers a welcoming space for residents and visitors to explore a vast collection of books, multimedia resources, and community programs. Located conveniently in the heart of the city, the library provides a modern, comfortable environment with state-of-the-art facilities.

Visitors can enjoy a diverse range of services, including free Wi-Fi, public computers, study rooms, and a variety of educational and cultural events tailored to all ages. Whether you're looking to borrow the latest bestseller, attend a workshop, or participate in a children's storytime session, the Palm Desert Library is a hub for learning, creativity, and connection.

  • VISION: A Palm Desert where everyone belongs and is filled with promise, progress, play, and prosperity.
  • MISSION: The Palm Desert Library nurtures community well-being through social, cultural, and learning experiences.
  • WE VALUE: Curiosity, Discovery, Exploration, Imagination, and Health & Happiness.

If you have other questions, you may email libraryinfo@palmdesert.gov(External link).

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 current 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, but with plans for the future).

On July 1, 2024, the City of Palm Desert took over the operations of the Palm Desert Library. It now operates as a municipally-run library. All staff are City of Palm Desert employees.

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