Library Director Chase Bridal reports Tula City Library growth and new projects

The Tooele City Council Business Meeting held on June 4, 2025, featured a comprehensive annual report from Chase Bridal, the library director, highlighting significant developments and statistics from the library over the past year.

Bridal began by reflecting on his nearly two-year tenure as library director and presented key statistics from the library's annual inventory. The library currently holds 49,282 physical items, including books and movies, which has remained stable over the past year. In contrast, the number of electronic items available through the Libby app has surged to 449,356 titles, and the newly introduced Canopy service offers 34,875 movies and TV shows for streaming.

The report indicated a positive trend in library usage, with total visits reaching 60,258, marking an 8% increase from the previous year. The library now has 9,340 cardholders, although this number reflects a decrease due to a recent cleanup of the cardholder database following a system upgrade. Bridal noted that this change has encouraged many patrons to return to the library, particularly to settle outstanding fines, as expired cards can no longer access digital services.

Financially, the library has seen a 10% increase in revenue, totaling approximately $36,000 for the fiscal year. Bridal reported significant cost savings of $55,493, allowing for a $10,000 reduction in the library's budget, which will support the city's capital expenditure fund. The library's technology usage also grew, with over 21,000 uses of public computers and Wi-Fi.

Bridal highlighted the success of the summer reading program, which recorded over 2.8 million total minutes read, an increase of 500,000 minutes from the previous year, and 1,529 active participants. The library hosted 263 programs with a total attendance of 14,278.

In terms of infrastructure improvements, Bridal mentioned the implementation of a new catalog system that enhances user experience and operational efficiency. Additionally, the library has made strides in sustainability with the installation of stamped concrete in the park strip, aimed at reducing water usage.

Overall, the meeting underscored the library's growth and commitment to serving the Tooele community, with plans to continue enhancing services and engaging more residents in library programs.