The whole Slab City experience for me was very "The Hills Have Eyes."…read more From a guy named Moth who lived in an old water tank (his bed suspended from the ceiling), to a pirate named Chase who invited me to jump on his trampoline, and to the guy in overalls smoking his pipe in his rocking chair while watching a bunch of girls dance to trance music...I would have to say Slab City was a surreal experience. However, I digress. This library earns 5 starts in my book for the following: 1 star - Very "modern" technology 1 star - Open 24/7 1 star - eery, creepy, mysterious, awesome--all at the same time 1 star - Gem in the middle of nowhere 1 star - Book collection

If you're heading out to The Slabs for a weekend you're most likely expecting some quirky, unique…read morelittle odd spots to see. This place is exactly that. It's charm comes not it's appearance, but in it's ... shabbiness. A makeshift library in the middle of the desert, created by practically just throwing whatever could be found together. The books are completely random, old tales left behind by some stranger, but that's what makes the treasure hunt of it so exciting. It's always open, and you're free to come grab any book you please - just return it, or replace it with some of your old books. There is something so refreshing about a place that's based on the idea of open community and sharing. Especially being a library, the little shack feels like it's full of it's own stories just as much as the books are. (This is coming from my visit in November 2012. Also, I believe this is the library in the Slabs, but some of the pictures posted are from the library within East Jesus.)

This was a quick stop for me before heading to Bombay Beach. It's near Slab City, and as you drive…read morethrough the area and start seeing all the RVs around, you can immediately feel the energy shift a little :) After hearing about this place from the movie ases on a true story, Into the Wild and living in San Diego for so long, I finally decided to check it out. I was honestly impressed by how well maintained everything was. I technically arrived after hours around 6pm, but there was still a volunteer there who gave a short introduction about the history of the place, which I appreciated. As I walked up the mountain, I was surprised by how clean everything was and how bright and vibrant the paint still looked, so huge credit to the volunteers who keep it looking this way. I was even given a free postcard on my way out, which was a nice little touch. I probably wouldn't make a full trip out here just for this alone, but pairing it with a visit to the Salton Sea or Bombay Beach is definitely worth it. I also love that it's completely free so no tickets or entrance fee needed.

I did a long weekend trip to Palm Desert with the goal of visiting the Salton Sea. Originally, I…read moreplanned to loop the entire shoreline, but after talking with a ranger at the visitor center, I stuck to the east side and doubled back, which was definitely the right call. Our turnaround point was Salvation Mountain, right next to Slab City. Before going, I had read about Leonard Knight and the story behind the mountain, which honestly made the visit more meaningful. The dedication and message behind it are almost as interesting as the site itself. It is kind of amazing that the structure still stands today and is in such solid condition. The drive out was mostly fine, though hot and dusty, especially on a Saturday afternoon. I would recommend going earlier in the day if possible. The mountain itself looked better maintained than I expected. The colors were bright, and it was clear that ongoing work is being done to preserve it. I left a small donation since it felt like a meaningful effort to support. That said, it did not fully resonate with me. While I can appreciate the effort and story, the style of art and the surrounding environment did not quite click. If you are into outsider art or off grid communities, you will probably get more out of it than I did. The biggest downside is the immediate setting. Being next to Slab City definitely impacts the experience. The vibe felt a bit uncomfortable at times, and we did not stay long or continue on to East Jesus. Overall, I am glad I visited. It is unique, and the story behind it adds depth, but it is more of a one time stop for me than a place I would go out of my way to revisit. 3 stars.

I happen to notice this building as I was sitting in a restaurant across the street. As I left the…read morebuilding I checked out the sign to see what it was. I reached my campsite and decided to read up on the library. The reviews were great so I decided to go the next day. Since I was visiting in the area I asked the librarian if they had any info what to do in town. She was very helpful and friendly. After pointing me in the direction to look for things to do in town. I sat and looked around the library and was admiring the architecture. It was a gloomy, windy and very wet day. But, being inside the library I didn't get that feeling. It was bright and open and with floor to ceiling glass windows it brought the outside beauty indoors. They had individual work rooms, meeting rooms, teens and youths areas. I decided to walk around and view the outdoors from the youth section. There the floor to ceiling windows opened up an entire room you can only look at from your chair. With the storm hovering above you could see Mother Nature in the works. What a grand room! So also in this area they had set up on the tables easels with canvas and paint supplies. I found out from the librarian that they sometime offer different art projects for anyone to do at no charge! So after my town adventures in the rain I returned to do a little painting of my own. In the two hours that I was there painting I also enjoyed the sound of the heavy rain tapping on the rooftop and windows. Watching the plants blowing in the wind and the dark clouds pass by. The library has a security guard just inside the front door. The entrance lobby is open and bright. The staff is very helpful and friendly. I would definitely return to the library if I'm in town. You should see for yourself what they have to offer.

Amazing library and views. Highly recommend to visit. Full wifi and electric vehicle stations…read more Covered parking

What a beautiful eclectic village that was made from garbage of an abandoned California dump, that…read morewas once an Army base, even before the dump. Make sure you visit the library, Cornelius Van Gogh, the Librarian will even let you take out books and return them whenever you return to Slab City. If I'm not mistaken; Tuesday night is movie night outside the library. Just ask for details inside. She's done a fantastic job of running and keeping the library up to date and she even stopped what she was doing to give us the grand tour. :) Check out her You Tube Channel and subscribe to the Cornelius Van Gogh adventures. They're really one of a kind residents, they've made a home from our garbage, that they have to share with the public 24/7. You're visiting, and they live there, and, they're so willing to show and tell you all the secrets, the stories, and the treasures of their lost world. Please be kind and leave a tip and, don't forget your swimsuit to dip in the natural hot springs on your way out of Slab City.

Zoey Aurora welcomed my sister and I with open arms and let us explore the nooks and crannies of…read morethe library with were filled with quite the eclectic spread of books, magazines, games,etc. They were a wealth of knowledge and were engaging and open. There also were cuddly kitties.

One of the last remaining free societies, enjoy it! A unique perspective and story to be seen with…read morelots of art, resilience and creativity.

Ughh... sad place. I…read moredidn't stay long. It was hot, dusty, and uncomfortable, and honestly pretty depressing. What I saw felt more bleak than interesting, and there was nothing about it that I found uplifting in any way. There is a bit of history here. The area used to be Camp Dunlap, a World War II-era U.S. Marine Corps training base. After it was decommissioned, most of the structures were removed, leaving behind the concrete slabs and bunker-like remnants that give Slab City its name. Some of those old concrete huts are still around, and a few have been brightly painted, which was probably the only part I found visually interesting. It sits out near Slab Mountain, and by that point I had already seen enough. I didn't even bother trying to find East Jesus. It was time to go. Beyond that, it just felt like a mess. There was a lot of garbage, very little in the way of amenities, and many of the people living there looked really down and out. It had an eerily familiar resemblance to parts of LA's homeless encampments, which made the whole experience feel uncomfortable rather than unique. For me, this is not a tourist destination. There's very little here that I found remotely interesting, and definitely nothing I'd describe as inspiring. Not for me. 1-1.5 stars

We came for the STRONG WORDS show. What a place! You can tell they are well funded. The event was…read morefree for members. I'll be back for more events.

This is the coolest (and probably best funded) library I've ever been to. I make it a point to stop…read morein when I visit the area. Inside the building is a cafe that also sells fresh loaves of bread, an incredible used bookstore, and a huge saltwater aquarium, to name a few things. If I lived in the area, I'd hang out here regularly, as there are lots of varied seating options (including outdoors), a humongous collection of DVDs and CDs, and 5-star programming, including concerts and free art workshops for all ages. There is also the Observatory. What a fabulous feature for a library. I attended one of their regular free OPENights and loved it. Be aware that it is an observatory (= small) and not a whole planetarium. At the OPENight, I'm glad I used the restroom before arriving, because you'll stand in line outside (bring a jacket!) waiting to be let into the observatory, as they only let a handful of people in at a time to look through the telescopes. The library is closed at that time, so no restroom access. The wait was around 40 min, but they post an astronomer out there who will talk about stars & stuff and answer any questions, so that was very entertaining.

Our family absolutely loves this library and we are frequent visitors. It's one of those places…read morethat truly feels like a community hub, and every time we go we discover something new to appreciate about it. One of the first things that makes it so convenient is the ample covered parking, which is especially nice during the hot desert months. The staff has always been friendly, welcoming, and very helpful whenever we have questions or need assistance finding something. My teens especially enjoy coming here because the library has a great teen room with books geared specifically toward their age group. There's also a chess board in the room that they love playing with whenever we visit. It's a great space for teens to hang out, read, and engage their minds in a relaxed environment. Another fun feature we always check out is the table where books are sold for less than a dollar. We've found some really unique and interesting books there over time, and it's always fun to see what new treasures might show up. The library also makes everyday tasks really easy. The printer is quick and simple to use when we need it, which has come in handy more than once. One of my favorite programs they offer is the seed library. Each month you can pick up three free packets of vegetable or flower seeds, which is such a cool and thoughtful offering for the community. The library calendar is always full of fun events and activities for people of all ages, so there's usually something interesting happening. Our favorite part of the library, though, is the Creation Station located down the back hall. It's a really unique program where you can become a member (or attend specific events without being a member) and explore hands-on technology while creating your own projects. The space offers tools like 3D printers, crafting equipment, and digital design resources that allow people of all ages to experiment, learn new skills, and bring creative ideas to life. Our son has especially enjoyed learning how to use the 3D printers there and has made some incredible pieces through the program. It's been such a fun and educational experience for him. The bathrooms are always clean, and there's also a nice enclosed outdoor courtyard area where you can sit and read or simply enjoy a quiet moment. Overall, it's a wonderful library that offers so much more than just books. We're really grateful to have such a fantastic resource in our community.

It's not easy to find a space or event that's safe or right for my whole family and that ends in us…read moreskipping a lot of things. The library offered a Santa event today & they did a special hour for families like mine with disabled children. I saw it in a local moms group and instantly registered. I got the notice that a hour before the scheduled event that's when our time to go would be and was so happy since lines are very hard for my guy. They came and let us in since we were one of the first families there and from that moment I was so happy I made the effort in going. Everyone was so happy and welcoming. They had crafts, wishes to make for Santa and treats. Everyone and I mean everyone was so kind I really noticed the staff going out of their way to engage with my children especially my autistic child. And let me tell you that rarely happens since he's typically busy scripting and exploring. I really was taken back with the kindness. The Santa that also at this even was very kind and patient as well. I hope he's there every year now! I really can't express how impressed I was with this event and everyone who was there. Definitely made our day and can't wait to tell more people and go to more events they host.

5 STARS - THE COOLEST LIBRARY IN TOWN! It May Be The Only…read moreOne In town but it is definitely worth a visit. Air conditioned and modernized! Winning. I had an event in El Centro not connected to the library. I also had a meeting. To avoid having a meeting in my car, I went to the El Centro Library. This library is next level cool! It's sleek, modern, and full of awesome gems--individual study nooks with its own charging hook ups, study rooms, open space layout, including outdoor seating. It may be silly to express but the vibe is relaxed, and the staff is friendly and helpful. The Mission Valley library in San Diego is tensed for no reason. And you have to watch & side eye nearby patrons. I reserved the study room for 2 hours. It was fully equipped! Television, whiteboard w/markers, sanitizer and ample outlets including USB's. The best feature is its accessibility features. From bathrooms to tables to door handles, if you have mobility challenges you'll do fine here. The doors won't slam on you, you can reach the sinks, desk clerk and computers without strain. Respectfully El Centro Library is lovely Please visit your libraries. We never want to lose this magnificent funding source of knowledge. "A library is a terrible thing to waste."

This new library has some pretty good workspaces to choose from. From desks to privacy pods they…read morehave options to get your work done. The building is kept clean and in good shape. During the hot summer months it's a great place to get your work done in air conditioning.