The Kleberg-Rylie Branch Library in southeast Dallas has closed indefinitely after severe water damage, forcing residents to seek services at other locations. The temporary closure comes as the Dallas Public Library system faces broader questions about access and long-term planning.
Library officials announced the closure Friday, directing patrons to the Prairie Creek Branch Library at 9609 Lake June Road while repairs are assessed. The department did not provide a timeline for reopening, saying updates about services and programming will be posted on the Dallas Public Library website.
The temporary shutdown comes as the Dallas Public Library system is under scrutiny over a proposed regional model that would close four neighborhood branch libraries to focus on regional services. City officials say the plan is aimed at modernizing services, reducing costs and addressing aging infrastructure.
The Kleberg-Rylie closure underscores community concerns, particularly in southern Dallas, where residents rely heavily on nearby branches for internet access, job searches and youth programming, said Jessica Ramirez, vice president of the Kleberg Neighborhood Association and Crime Watch.
Breaking News
“We’ve been raising the alarm on the conditions of our library for so long and now with these library closure proposals, we are afraid the city will shut down ours and use the damages as an excuse,” Ramirez told The Dallas Morning News.
In 1992, adults and children flocked to Dallas City Hall to demand the construction of a library in the Kleberg-Rylie neighborhood that had been approved by the city seven years prior. Two years later, Kleberg-Rylie got its promised facility.
Community leaders say closures, even temporary ones, highlight vulnerabilities in communities that already have limited access to public resources.
While library officials said the closure is because of water damage, some residents see it as part of a larger pattern of instability within the system.
Dallas Public Library officials have said community feedback will play a role as the city continues discussions about the regional model, including how to balance cost savings with equitable access.
During the closure, book returns at the Kleberg-Rylie branch are unavailable, and residents are asked not to leave materials at the building because they will not be collected. Patrons with items on hold must change their pickup location online or by calling the library’s customer service line at 214-670-1400.