Little Free Library May 14, 2024 Dedication

Over 50 Twin Palms residents, city leaders, and representatives from the College of the Desert and Modernism Week, celebrated the unveiling of the new Twin Palms Little Free Library at the May 14, 2024 Dedication. Residents now have a place to drop off a book to share and/or pick up a book to read. This Neighborhood Initiative project was financed with funds raised by TPNO's 2024 Modernism Week Home Tour.

Everyone enjoyed a continental breakfast staring at 9:45 am, with time to socialize with their neighbors and invited guests before the formal portion of the meeting began at 10:00 am.

Welcome

Carol Munro, TPNO Board chair, welcomed everyone to the unveiling and Dedication of the Twin Palms Little Free Library. She said over three years of planning went into its design, construction, and siting.

Unveiling

Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein, City of Palm Springs, representatives of the College of the Desert, and TPNO Board members participated in the official unveiling. Both Mayor Berstein, and Councilperson Grace Garner made brief remarks. Mayor Berstein said he hoped that every neighborhood would create its own Little Free Library. Councilperson Garner spoke of her love for books, and donated a book.

COLLEGE OF THE DESERT

Staff representatives of the College of the Desert’s Department of Architecture and Environnmental Design played a key role in building and installing the Little Free Library. Students were involved in every step of the project. A $2,000 check was presented to COD for use in supporting students in the department.

HISTORY OF LIBRARY

Larry Johnson, TPNO Board member, shared the history of the genesis and development of the Library. It is based on the suggestion of current Board chair Carol Munro, a conceptual design by Larry Johnson, and technical drawings created by H3K Home+ Design. COD staff and students fabricated and installed the structure.

He said the Little Library’s design is inspired by the work of William Krisel, architect for many of the nearby homes in the neighborhood. It features a butterfly roofline and popular vibrant mid-century colors.

MODERNISM WEEK

Evelyn Yardley, Modernism Week Neighborhood Tour Coordinator, spoke of the long-standing relationship with Twin Palms. She noted that more tickets were sold for 2024 Modernism Week events in the Twin Palms Neighborhood than any other neighborhood. She said that the Little Free Library is an outstanding example of the uses of Modernism Week proceeds to promote Palm Springs and mid-century modernism.

HOMEOWNERS

Homeowners Nguyen Phuong and Matt York were thanked for agreeing to have the Little Free Library placed on their property. It is the perfect location. Carol said that without their involvement the Library would not have happened. She presented them with a thank you gift of a book on mid-century automobiles.

HOW TO USE

Carol explained how Little Free Libraries work. Everyone is encouraged to drop off a book to share, and/or take a book to read. Information on how to donate multiple books will be forthcoming.

THANK YOUS

She thanked everyone for coming today. She thanked the TPNO Board members for their role in never losing faith that the Library would come to life. Everyone was encouraged to stay and socialize with their neighbors and our invited guests.

Thanks to Bill Marchese, Tony Vardaro, and Larry Johnson for the photos included in this posting.