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Library reports record usage in 2024; library software and facility assessment projects planned
Summary
Veil Public Library reported higher circulation, program attendance and online use in 2024, stayed under budget, and outlined upcoming software replacement and facility‑needs assessment funded in the CIP.
Dan Owens, Library Services Director for Veil Public Library, presented the library's 2024 annual report to Pullman City Council on March 4, reporting record activity across most service metrics and previewing a software replacement and facility needs assessment planned for 2025.
Owens said the library's 2024 operating expenditures were budgeted at about $2,000,000 and actual expenditures were about $1.9 million, leaving roughly $170,000 returned to the general fund. He told the council the library represents about 6.9% of the general fund. Owens described the budget composition (about 67% wages and benefits, about 12% interfund charges, about 7% materials) and noted rising insurance costs as a broader citywide pressure.
On services, Owens reported that nearly 25,000 people engaged with youth services in 2024 and the library processed close to 90,000 checkouts; daily public Wi‑Fi clients averaged about 70 per day (up from 57). Adult program attendance rose substantially and overall circulation and use measures were the highest on record for the library, he said.
Owens described two upcoming projects: a library software replacement (scheduled to go live May 19) that staff say will improve the online catalog and save approximately $20,000 a year, and a library services and facility assessment (a community needs assessment and facility evaluation) to be managed by Burke and SHKS; public engagement is expected to begin in summer 2025.
Council members and trustees praised the library’s staff and volunteers, and Council member Anne Parks and Councilman Weller highlighted the library’s outreach to youth, partner organizations, Friends of the Library fundraising and its role as a downtown community hub.
