Got a warehouse? Library staff needs safe storage for 75,000 books during renovation

The Palm Springs Public Library is moving forward with plans for a significant renovation, with architects recently submitting building permit applications to the city’s building department.

Library Director Jeannie Kays reported during a recent library board meeting that the project remains on schedule, with staff now reviewing finishes, carpets, tiles, and paint swatches for the updated facility.

“We’re on target,” Kays said. “Things are going great on that. Then today we got to look at finishes and carpet and tile and paint swatches and all those fun things. So we’re getting into the fun stuff.”

The renovation is expected to take approximately two years, requiring a temporary relocation for library services. Kays said library staff members are in the early stages of seeking a suitable temporary location.

“We are creating a wants and needs list of things to look for in a commercial property,” Kays explained. “We are also seeking donors of vacant property who might have a storefront or something or a warehouse — a climate controlled warehouse for us. We love donations like that. That would be a wonderful civic duty.”

Key priorities for the temporary space include a central location, parking, ADA accessibility, and air conditioning. The library has budgeted for the temporary location as part of the overall project costs, but Kays expressed some concern about the expense.

“I am a little worried about the cost because commercial space is very expensive,” she said. “So we’re going to try to be very creative.”

To prepare for the move, the library plans to create what staff are calling a “capsule collection” of core materials to be available during the renovation period. This smaller collection will be supplemented with new purchases throughout the two-year construction.

Approximately 75,000 books from the library’s collection will be placed in climate-controlled off-site storage during the renovation. Kays emphasized it’s vital to have a space with proper storage conditions.

Aside from expanding programs at the Welwood Murray Memorial Library branch downtown, library staff is also exploring partnerships with community organizations to continue offering programming during the renovation period. Potential partners include Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Department, the Mizell Center, and The LGBTQ+ Community Center of the Desert.

If the current timeline holds, the library expects to begin ramping down operations at its main location at the end of March 2025. April is targeted as a transition month for moving to the temporary location and preparing the main building for construction.

A represent of the Palm Springs Public Library Foundation reported that the organization is ramping up fundraising efforts to support the library’s needs, including the renovation project.

The foundation recently received an unexpected boost from a bequest by the late Jane Lykken Hoff, a member of one of Palm Springs’ pioneer families. The $4.5 million gift will generate an estimated $35,000 to $40,000 annually for library programs and literary resources.

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