City’s newest little library, unveiled Tuesday, fits flawlessly into its surrounding neighborhood

The city’s newest mid-century modern structure was officially unveiled Tuesday, but you might miss it if you blink while driving past.

Members of the Twin Palms Neighborhood Organization (TPNO), city leaders, and representatives from College of the Desert and Modernism Week joined residents to dedicate the latest free mini lending library in the city.

Located at 991 East La Jolla, the library is similar to others in the city in that it holds a variety of books that residents can borrow and return. Unlike most others, however, its design is uniquely Palm Springs, with a butterfly roof and vibrant colors that pay homage to architect William Krisel, designer of many of the neighborhood’s homes.

Local firm H3K Home+Design worked with the TPNO board on the overall design, and students from College of the Desert (COD) helped bring it to life.

“The whole project, from concept to install, was a labor of love,” said Rusty Harling, professor of construction management at COD, during the morning dedication ceremony. He explained that his students — one of whom was on hand for the ceremony — helped build sections of the structure, constructed the forms, and poured the concrete.

The idea for the little library dates back four years ago, said Carol Munro, the neighborhood organization’s advisory board chairperson, noting, “It’s been quite a journey to get us to this point.” It was made possible through TPNO funds raised during Modernism Week.

This week was a particularly poignant time to open a free little library. The Little Free Library organization is celebrating Little Free Library Week through Saturday in recognition of its founding in 2012. A map available here shows three other little libraries in the city. However, those are only the ones registered with the organization.

City leaders on hand included Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein and Councilmember Grace Garner, who donated a copy of “The Guncle” by local author Steven Rowley to the library. Each said they hoped to see little libraries in every officially recognized neighborhood.

“This is one of the great things about our neighborhood organizations and having them come together for things like this,” Bernstein said Tuesday. “I think we need 52 of these!”

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