Overview:

The City of Dallas has proposed a $4.5 million cut to the Dallas Public Library budget over the next two years, which could result in the closure of up to five library branches, reduced staffing, and fewer community services. The impact will be huge for families who rely on their local branch for the internet, students who come to do homework, seniors who depend on cooling and warming centers, and residents without cars who walk to their neighborhood library. Dallas is already lagging behind when it comes to library support, and once library budgets are cut, it takes years to recover. The Friends of the Dallas Public Library is calling the community to action to attend Budget Town Hall meetings and contact their City Councilmember directly.

More Than Just Books

When we think of public libraries, a lot of folks might picture dusty shelves and old books. But for Dallas, our libraries are something bigger: they’re classrooms, cooling centers, job resource hubs, Wi-Fi access points, and cultural gathering places. And right now, they’re on the chopping block.

The Proposed Cut

The City of Dallas has proposed a $4.5 million cut to the Dallas Public Library (DPL) budget over the next two years. That might not sound like much compared to the city’s $2.5 billion general fund (just 0.02%), but the impact will be huge. We’re talking about the possible closure of up to five library branches, reduced staffing, and fewer community services for neighborhoods that already face inequities in access to resources.

Manya Shorr, the new Library Director for the city of Dallas, is behind these library-slashing suggestions. 

“It’s hard to create meaningful connections with our community,” Shore suggests in the Dallas Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Workshop. Shore would rather the city of Dallas take on fewer branches and maintain them at a higher quality. 

Shore’s replacement idea for libraries set to close? Book vending machines or pop-up libraries. 

Even if the Skillman Southwestern Branch is spared for another year—something City Council would have to approve—at least four additional branches could close. Dallas City Manager Kim Tolbert has not yet decided which specific branches would face closure. 

For families who rely on their local branch for the internet, for students who come to do homework, for seniors who depend on cooling and warming centers, and for residents without cars who walk to their neighborhood library, this is more than an inconvenience. It’s a blow to community life.

Falling Behind Other Cities

Dallas is already lagging behind when it comes to library support. Among nine peer cities, it ranks sixth in library spending per capita, at just $28.90 per resident. Compare that to Austin, which spends $67.29 per person—despite serving a smaller population.

And history shows that once library budgets are cut, it takes years to recover. After the cuts in the late 2000s, Dallas libraries needed nearly a decade to rebuild funding levels, and inflation meant they never fully caught up. Former City Manager Mary Suhm’s substantial chops to the Dallas Public Library system nearly left the city’s libraries with “Draconian” hours and poor attendance. 

Community Steps Up

Dallas residents aren’t taking this sitting down. The Friends of the Dallas Public Library (FODPL), a volunteer advocacy and fundraising group, has been standing up for local libraries for 75 years. At a time like this, FODPL is calling the community to action. They’re organizing residents to attend Budget Town Hall meetings this August, offering free advocacy t-shirts, and providing easy-to-use online tools so folks can contact their City Councilmember directly.

“Libraries are about equity,” says Sarah Evans, chair of the FODPL Advocacy Committee. “They’re one of the few truly public spaces where everyone—no matter your age, income, or background—can learn, connect, and create.”

What’s at Stake

If you’ve ever used a library to print a resume, attend a children’s storytime, surf the web with a stable internet connection or cool off in the summer heat, you already know the value of what’s at stake. These branches are more than buildings with books—they’re anchors in our neighborhoods.

As budget debates continue, Dallas residents have a chance to speak up. Because when libraries close, it’s not just about losing shelves of books—it’s about losing community.

How To Stand Up for Dallas Libraries

  • Show Up: Attend a Budget Town Hall meeting this August and make your voice heard.
  • Reach Out: Use FODPL’s online tool to contact your City Councilmember directly.
  • Stay Informed: Follow @FODPL on Instagram for updates and resources.

Libraries belong to all of us. Let’s make sure they stay open for all of Dallas.