As Desert Hot Springs celebrates the one year anniversary of its state-of-the-art library, the Friends of the Desert Hot Springs Library organization was awarded a $25,000 grant from the H.N. and France C. Berger Foundation. The Coachella Valley Spotlight grant will purchase equipment for community use including 3-D printers, tablets, and other science, engineering, art and technology (STEAM) related materials for toddlers, teens and adults.
“This grant will enable us to provide equipment and resources at our beautiful new library,” said Sally Hedberg, Secretary for Friends of the Desert Hot Springs Library. “Much of the equipment and materials that we’ll be able to purchase are not easily accessible to our Desert Hot Springs residents. Now they will be!”
With about 55-percent of the community speaking Spanish as their first language, Friends of the Library plans to purchase English literacy software to support programs for adults and children. The nonprofit also plans to use some of the funds to launch a lecture series hosted at the library. “The Friends” have been dedicated to making the library a community center for lifelong learning by supporting the library and staff through volunteering and fundraising since 1984.
“Friends of the Desert Hot Springs Library is already actively creating a community hub at the gorgeous new facility,” said Catharine Reed, Vice President of Charitable Programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. “We’re excited to see how they implement the grant funds to do even more.”
The library recently kicked off its summer reading program, with a family event for all ages – preschool through adults. The summer reading program will host a variety of activities for specific age groups throughout each week through July 22. Participants will earn prizes for the number of books they read. On Saturday, June 25 from 3-5 p.m., the Desert Hot Springs Library will celebrate its one year anniversary in its new location. The festivities will include the Mariachi Palm Springs Band, refreshments and a taste of the programs and offerings the library has.
“Friends of the Library is finding ways to serve the interests of the community with new programs and innovative collaborations,” said Jerry Upham, General Manager of Gulf California Broadcast Company, which owns and operates KESQ News Channel 3 and KPSP CBS Local 2.
Through the Coachella Valley Spotlight partnership with the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and News Channel 3, Friends of the Desert Hot Springs Library was featured on News Channel 3 programming, in public service announcements and on kesq.com throughout June. The Desert Hot Springs Library is located at 14380 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs. For more information about the library, visit www.rivlib.net/branch/desert-hot-springs or call 760-329-5926. More information about the organization can be found at www.facebook.com/Friends of the Desert Hot Springs Library.