Jake Hinton • August 8, 2024
Borrego Springs Public Library: A Community Resource
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Visit Borrego Springs Public Library
Located in the heart of Borrego Springs, the Borrego Springs Public Library is a beloved community resource that serves residents and visitors alike.
The library offers a wide range of services and amenities, including:
- A collection of more than 20,000 books, magazines, and other print materials
- A variety of digital resources, including e-books, audiobooks, and online databases
- A children’s section with books and activities for young readers
- Meeting rooms and a community room available for rental
- A computer lab with free internet access
A Hub for Sustainability, Education, and Exploration
Visitors can enjoy the library’s amenities, including free WiFi, nearby parks, shopping, and restrooms, while charging their vehicles at the EV parking spots—part of the library’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. Solar energy powers the library as part of its Zero Net Energy initiative, ensuring efficiency in the desert climate.
Beyond its amenities, the Borrego Springs Public Library hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including book clubs, author talks, and craft workshops, making it a key hub for community education and enrichment.
The library is also part of a larger, thoughtfully designed project that includes a sheriff’s station and park. Designed with Borrego Springs’ Dark Sky Community status in mind, the project features educational displays that incorporate
constellation mapping and local history. As visitors walk the property,
both kids and adults can enjoy a great educational experience, learning about the planets and stars through these interactive displays.
“Playing off the celestial skies was tremendous inspiration for the entire library and park site,” said architect Ralph Roesling. “The Galaxy Court, Cosmos Way and Polaris Plaza educate with concrete markers indicating the planets’ relationships to earth and sun. Everything about the site has been thought through, with respect to recreation, dark skies astronomy, discovery, and places for imagination.”
EV Charging at Borrego Springs Library
The Borrego Springs Library is not only a hub for learning and community events but also supports eco-friendly transportation. The library is equipped with an EV charging station, located at 2580 Country Club Road, Borrego Springs. This ChargePoint station offers a convenient and affordable option for electric vehicle owners, with a cost of just $0.25 per kWh. The parking is free, and the charging station provides a 6.48 kW output with a J-1772 connector, making it compatible with most electric vehicles.
Overall, the Borrego Springs Public Library is a valuable resource for the community, offering a wide range of services and amenities for all ages. Whether you’re looking to borrow a book, use the computer lab, or charge your electric vehicle, the library is a convenient and welcoming place to visit.
Learn More About Borrego Springs
Free Summer Movies Continue in Borrego Springs This August
On Wednesday, July 29, at 7pm BSFI presents: A Simple Plan – 1998 – Rated R – 2h 1m A Simple Plan is a gripping neo-noir crime thriller that represents a striking departure from Sam Raimi's reputation as a master of horror and stylized genre filmmaking. Directed by Raimi and written by Scott B. Smith, adapting his own 1993 novel, the film stars Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, and Bridget Fonda, and is set in rural Minnesota. The story follows brothers Hank (Paxton) and Jacob Mitchell (Thornton), who, along with Jacob's friend Lou (Brent Briscoe), stumble upon a crashed plane in the woods containing $4.4 million in cash. The four — including Hank's wife Sarah (Fonda) — go to great lengths to keep the money secret, but begin to doubt each other's trust, resulting in lies, deceit, and murder. Roger Ebert, who ranked the film fourth on his list of the best films of 1998, praised how rarely a film is "this skillful at drawing us, step by step, into the consequences of criminal action," and Gene Siskel called it "an exceedingly well-directed genre picture" in which Raimi "does an excellent job of presaging the lethal violence that follows." A Simple Plan premiered at the 1998 Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim, before a limited US release in 1998. It underperformed at the box office, grossing $16.3 million, but was widely praised by critics. On the awards front, the film earned two Academy Award nominations: one for Best Supporting Actor for Thornton and one for Best Adapted Screenplay for Smith. After Paxton's death in 2017, critic Matt Zoller Seitz declared his performance as Hank the finest of Paxton's career — a fitting testament to a film that, despite its modest box office, has only grown in reputation as one of the most emotionally devastating thrillers of its era. This season’s BSFI movie screenings are being generously underwritten by the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF). A Simple Plan — Free BSFI Movie Screening When: Wednesday, July 29 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Where: Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, 590 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs Rating/Runtime: Rated R | 2 hours, 1 minute
Free Summer Movies Continue in Borrego Springs This July
Chase the Perseids in Borrego Springs: Summer’s Best Getaway Is Under the Stars If you've been waiting for a reason to visit Borrego Springs, t he Perseid meteor shower is a pretty great excuse. If you live nearby, consider this your reminder to book a staycation, get out of the house, and look up. Summer is one of the best values of the year. You'll find lower hotel rates, fewer crowds, and a slower pace , making it the perfect time to experience one of nature's most spectacular events. The Perseid meteor shower is active from July 17 through August 24 and is expected to peak the nights of August 12–13 . With little moonlight during the peak and Borrego Springs' internationally recognized dark skies, conditions are ideal for viewing. Under clear skies, you may see 50 to 100 meteors per hour , including brilliant fireballs that leave glowing trails across the sky. Borrego Springs is California's first International Dark Sky Community , making it one of the best places in Southern California to experience the Perseids. No telescope is needed. Just bring a chair or blanket, find a safe location away from lights, let your eyes adjust for about 30 minutes, and enjoy the show. The best viewing is generally after midnight through the hours before dawn, although meteors can appear throughout the night. During the day, take advantage of summer savings with a stay at La Casa del Zorro , a Stay & Play package at Rams Hill , or seasonal rates at The Palms at Indian Head . Sleep in, relax by the pool, enjoy lunch or dinner in one of Borrego's air-conditioned restaurants, and check BorregoEvents.com for local happenings. Browse the locally owned shops that remain open year-round, visit art galleries, enjoy some night photography, or take a stroll down Palm Canyon Drive and browse homes for sale in the windows of Coldwell Banker and other local real estate offices. Summer offers a quieter, more relaxed way to experience Borrego Springs. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or just escaping for a night, there's no better time to discover why Borrego Springs is known for its dark skies, hospitality, and desert beauty. Come for the summer savings. Stay for the Perseids. Leave with memories—and maybe a few shooting stars.
Limited-time summer promotion encourages families to explore wolf conservation and education in Julian.
Don't Miss These Summer Night Sky Events
The historic farm offers fresh local products, farm tours, and a chance to experience sustainable agriculture in the heart of the desert. Riviera Farms continues to bring new life to one of Borrego Springs' historic properties. Originally established in 1975 by Knute and Gloria Quvale , the 22-acre farm has been revitalized with a focus on regenerative agriculture, sustainability, and caring for rescued animals. Visitors can stop by the farm to purchase fresh products, meet the animals, and take a tour of the property. For those who can't make it in person, many of the farm's products are also available through its online store. Riviera Farms offers a growing selection of organic eggs, seasonal produce, herbs, nopales, handcrafted seasonings, soaps, bath products, honey, apparel, and other farm-made goods . Inventory changes throughout the year based on what's in season and available. Supporting Riviera Farms means supporting a local Borrego Springs business that is helping preserve the community's agricultural heritage while producing fresh, locally grown products. To learn more, schedule a tour, or browse available products, visit rivierafarms.com . Riviera Farms 2021 Borrego Springs Rd. Borrego Springs, CA 92004
East County Performing Arts Association unveils six shows for its fifth season in Julian.
Prepared with information from ABDNHA's Dark Sky resources, Michael Poirier, Astrophotographer, and the Sky Calendar from Michigan State University. Learn more about Borrego Springs dark skies at: https://abdnha.org/darksky/sky / Note: You can subscribe to the Sky Calendar from Abrams Planetarium, Michigan State University, 755 Science Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824. Borrego Springs offers some of the darkest skies in Southern California, making summer an excellent time to observe the Milky Way, planets, meteor showers, and other celestial events. Here's what to look for in June and July 2026. Early June Sunrise: 5:38 a.m. Sunset: 7:50 p.m. PST Day Length: 14 hours 12 minutes June Highlights June 1 (Monday) Venus and Jupiter appear within 8° of each other in the west-northwestern sky after sunset. June 3–16 Milky Way viewing conditions are excellent, with dark, moonless skies after nightfall. The Milky Way rises at 10:57 p.m. on June 7 and as early as 10:30 p.m. on June 14. It remains visible for up to 4 hours and 29 minutes. June 6–13 Grand Canyon Star Party, Arizona. Learn more at www.grandcanyon.org . June 11 (Thursday) Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury span their shortest angle in the evening sky, just 13.2° apart. June 15 (Monday) New Moon — one of the darkest nights of the month for stargazing and astrophotography. June 15 (Monday) Mercury reaches greatest elongation, 24.5° from the Sun, making it the best evening appearance of the year shortly after sunset. June 21 (Sunday) June Solstice marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the longest day of the year with 14 hours and 20 minutes of daylight. June 22–July 2 June Bootids Meteor Shower. June 29 (Monday) Full Moon rises at 8:17 p.m. and sets at 5:04 a.m. June 30 (Tuesday) Asteroid Day. Early July Sunrise: 5:41 a.m. Sunset: 7:59 p.m. Day Length: 14 hours 18 minutes July Highlights July 5 (Sunday) The Milky Way rises at 9:38 p.m. and remains visible for 3 hours and 58 minutes. July 12 (Sunday) The Milky Way rises at 9:34 p.m. and remains visible for 3 hours and 35 minutes. July 14 (Tuesday) New Moon — ideal conditions for stargazing and astrophotography. July 15 (Wednesday) Mercury reaches greatest elongation, 24.5° from the Sun. July 28–29 (Tuesday–Wednesday) Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower peaks. July 29 (Wednesday) Full Moon rises at 8:17 p.m. and sets at 5:04 a.m. The Planets and the Milky Way in June Evening Planets Venus and Jupiter dominate the western sky after sunset throughout June. Around June 8–9, the two planets appear in conjunction, creating a striking close encounter in the west-northwestern sky. Venus, often called the "Evening Star," shines brilliantly as it moves from Taurus toward Gemini and climbs higher in the evening sky each night. Jupiter remains nearby and is also easily visible. Mercury becomes visible low in the western sky during the second half of June. June 15 offers the best viewing opportunity, as Mercury reaches its greatest elongation and highest apparent position above the horizon. Morning Planets Saturn and Mars are visible before sunrise. Mars remains low in the east-northeast, while Saturn rises higher from the east to east-southeast. Early June provides a chance to see the two planets relatively close together. Summer Milky Way Summer is the prime season for viewing the bright central core of the Milky Way. From June through August, the galaxy's core rises in the southeastern sky and becomes one of the most spectacular sights available to dark-sky observers. June Bootids Meteor Shower The June Bootids occur annually from June 22 through July 2 and peak around June 27. Most years produce only one or two meteors per hour. However, this shower has occasionally surprised observers with dramatic outbursts. In 1998, rates briefly reached approximately 100 meteors per hour. The shower originates from debris left by Comet Pons-Winnecke, which orbits the Sun every 6.3 years. June Bootids are known for their unusually slow speed, entering Earth's atmosphere at approximately 14 kilometers per second. Asteroid Day – June 30 Asteroid Day is a United Nations-sanctioned global awareness campaign held annually on June 30. The event educates the public about asteroid impacts, planetary defense, and ongoing research into near-Earth objects. The date commemorates the Tunguska Event of June 30, 1908, when a massive airburst explosion flattened approximately 830 square miles of Siberian forest. The blast is estimated to have released energy equivalent to between 3 and 50 megatons of TNT, making it the largest recorded impact event in modern history. For more information, visit www.un.org. Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower The Delta Aquariids meteor shower peaks on the night of July 28 and the morning of July 29. This annual shower can produce up to 20 meteors per hour under ideal conditions and is associated with debris from Comets Marsden and Kracht. The shower runs from July 12 through August 23 each year. Unfortunately, the 2026 peak coincides with a Full Moon, which will wash out many fainter meteors. Patient observers may still catch some of the brighter meteors throughout the night. The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Aquarius but can be seen anywhere in the sky. Learn More About Borrego Springs' Dark Skies Borrego Springs is California's first International Dark Sky Community and one of the best places in Southern California to experience the Milky Way, meteor showers, planets, and other celestial events. To learn where to observe, dark sky etiquette, upcoming programs, and more about stargazing in Borrego Springs, visit the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association's Dark Sky resources: https://abdnha.org/darksky/sky/
