The city of Dallas is considering a $2.6 million cut to its library budget, but 91% of residents surveyed say they want funding for libraries to increase.

DALLAS — Several months after the city of Dallas proposed making deep cuts to its library budget, a vast majority of residents who responded to the city’s survey on library services said they want the library’s budget to increase — not decrease. 

The Dallas City Council committee on quality of life, arts and culture, will hear a presentation from Library Director Manya Schorr on Monday, outlining the results of a resident survey conducted to gauge public opinion on possible library consolidation. 

In January 2026, the Dallas Public Library proposed moving to a regional model next fiscal year, which would consolidate several neighborhood libraries and cut about $2.6 million from the library’s budget and eliminate 32 positions. Under the proposal, seven branches across the city would eventually become flagship libraries, operating seven days a week with extended hours, expanded services, and additional staff, WFAA previously reported. 

Among those listed as potentially closing this fall are the Oak Lawn branch on Cedar Springs, Renner Frankford in North Dallas, Arcadia Park in West Dallas and the Skyline branch in East Dallas. The Skillman Southwestern branch has already closed.

Based on feedback from the committee, library administrators sought community feedback through a survey with Friends of the Library in Febuary 2026, according to a presentation posted to the city’s website. The city also held six community meetings to get feedback on the proposal. 

Over 4,000 people responded to the community survey, and a majority, 71%, opposed a move to a regional model for public libraries, according to the presentation. 

The survey also made it clear that a vast majority of respondents feel that Dallas Public Libraries are important. Instead of cutting funds from the library budget, 86.8% of respondents thought funding for libraries should be increased. Plus, rather than closing some branches as initially proposed, residents said they would prefer that the city increase its funding to avoid closures and service reductions, according to the presentation. 

The respondents also said that if the library were to offer services outside the current library, they would prefer the services be located in a community or recreation center or at pop-up or mobile libraries, along with schools and locations near grocery stores. 

According to the presentation, library officials concluded that residents surveyed don’t think the library should lose funding, but are open to alternative service models such as co-locations. Library administrators also concluded that more education is needed around the regional library concept. 

Going forward, library administrators will continue to evaluate a possible shift to a regional model, including the historical significance of library locations, proximity to other city facilities, community access, and revenue considerations.Â