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Tulare County Library presents annual report, highlights grants and capital projects
Summary
The Tulare County Library Advisory Board presented its FY 2024–25 annual report, citing holdings of roughly 254,325 physical items, rising e‑resource use, new programs and partnerships, Carnegie Foundation grant support, and upcoming branch construction projects.
County Librarian Darla Wgner and members of the Tulare County Library Advisory Board presented the library’s fiscal year 2024–25 annual report at the April 14 Board of Supervisors meeting, summarizing services, usage figures, partnerships and capital projects.
Wgner said the library system holds about 254,325 physical items, including 81,957 children’s books, and provides a range of in‑person and virtual services through 17 branches, a literacy center and outreach programs. Staff reported 341,527 total circulations and 21,739 ebooks and audiobooks in the collection. The library’s literacy programs reported multiple graduates of an online high‑school program and expanded Spanish‑language literacy services.
Board members and library staff described partnerships with school districts, community colleges and nonprofits that support summer meals programs, family literacy and outreach. One branch reported serving 3,394 summer meals (an increase of 724 from the prior year) and the system described thousands of program participants and volunteer hours contributed in FY 2024–25.
Wgner also said the library received a Carnegie Foundation gift that staff characterized as $40,000 per participating Carnegie library and noted ongoing capital work: Springville construction nearing completion, Arosi construction beginning the following week, and upgrades planned for other branches including new book lockers and bookmobile stops. Staff flagged two operational challenges: loss of a major book vendor (Baker & Taylor) requiring new procurement plans, and uncertainty in continued state and federal grants that support ESL and literacy programs.
Amy King and other advisory board members reviewed governance (10 advisory board members, one per supervisorial district plus at‑large seats), recent policy updates including a materials‑selection policy approved to comply with state library requirements, and behavior guideline revisions that were implemented this month.
Supervisor Pete Vanderpool presented a proclamation recognizing April 19–25, 2026 as National Library Week in Tulare County and thanked staff for community engagement and programming. The board took no formal action beyond accepting the report and issuing the proclamation.
Speakers quoted in this article are taken from the meeting record, including County Librarian Darla Wgner and Library Advisory Board member Amy King.
