Library sees sharp growth in use at temporary home

*Plans for the exterior of the new Palm Desert library are at left. A patron reads in the current library at right.*

As efforts continue to build a new city library, staff reported sharp gains in cardholders, circulation and programming in 2025-26 while setting accessibility and digital literacy among its priorities for the year ahead.

According to a quarterly update delivered to the city’s Library Advisory Committee and reviewed Monday, digital demand at the surged in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with holds for e-books and e-audiobooks rising 151.8% and the average digital hold wait increasing from 17 days to 24.1 days.

That increase came as the library reported broader growth across its services. Total library cardholders rose 60.5% to 20,849, library visitors increased 6.3% to 117,892, and website users climbed 105.1% to 75,265.

Overall borrowing also increased. Total circulation rose 19.4% from 200,431 to 239,401, with physical items checked out up 19.8% to 212,706 and digital checkouts up 51.1% to 26,695. Incoming Link+ requests more than doubled, increasing 117.4% to 5,519.

The programming report showed growth as well, particularly for adults and teens. Adult programs increased from 210 to 302, a 43.8% rise, while attendance grew 27.7% to 5,810. Young adult programs increased 21.6% to 118, and attendance rose 25.2% to 1,166. Children’s programs were nearly flat, but attendance increased 21.4% to 3,502.

The library’s summer reading program added to the year’s activity totals. The presentation said 719 community members participated, while 125 programs drew 3,279 in attendance. The library also gave away 1,440 grab-and-go craft kits and provided 1,200 books to help residents build home libraries.

The library is temporarily located on the College of the Desert campus while a new, city-owned library is being built at Civic Center Park.

Looking ahead, library staff identified customer service, accessibility, and digital literacy and community education as its 2026-27 service priorities. Examples listed in the presentation included autism certification, homebound and senior center outreach, multiple class offerings and the purchase of a class set of devices.