What started out as a final trip to the Slab City Library yesterday has turned into a devastating discovery. This one-of-a-kind institution is on the verge of collapse.

Sunday afternoon I arrived with some DVDs to donate, only to find piles of books thrown around, and an angry look on the face of Ron, the chief librarian. All of the doors to the place had also been removed, the sign had disappeared from the parking lot, and the book donation shelves were gone.

I was stunned, and asked Ron, “Uh, what happened to the shelves?”

He looked at me with rage in his eyes and said “I’m sick of picking up after people and their dog shit! I’ve had it! If they want to trash this place they can have it!”

With my mouth hanging open I said “But….what’s going to happen here?”

Ron said, “It’s a self-serve library from now on. People can take care of it themselves. I’m done!” and he stormed out.

Three years ago, Ron arrived just after the founder of the library died. Ron was enthusiastic about keeping the library alive, and decided he would move in next door. He took the wheels off his motorhome, set up a permanent encampment, and went about the business of becoming head librarian. Up until now he’s done an incredible job keeping this treasure going. Every time I went there, new books had been shelved, more fun knicknacks appeared and the floor was always clean.

But apparently the slobs around here made him snap. Or maybe it the 120 degree summertime temperatures. But last week he threw up his hands and surrendered. Now, this treasure is at risk of becoming just another trash heap in the last free place in America.

I’m devastated. I love libraries, and I swear there’s nowhere like this place in America. It was founded by one woman who loved books, and when she died, the community of snowbirds and regulars kept her legacy alive by spiffing up this hand-built this oasis in the desert.

It’s killing me that we’re supposed to leave to check out Anza Borrego tomorrow. I don’t want to see this place disappear. This morning I made this sign, hoping that more people might give a crap and stop taking the library for granted. I guess I’ll have to wait until next year to find out what they chose to do. Maybe I’ll come back in January and take over as librarian.