Some people showed up to support the plan for reshaping the Dallas Public Library system at Dallas City Hall, Monday, April 20, 2026.
Steve Nurenberg/The Dallas Morning News
The city of Dallas is saving all of its libraries, at least for now.
The City Council’s Quality of Life, Arts and Culture Committee on Monday directed Dallas Public Library Director Manya Shorr to move forward with a plan to keep all 29 Dallas libraries open and explore a new regional model.
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The new proposal comes after sharp criticism from council members and residents over a January plan to close four neighborhood branches, freeing up a necessary $2.6 million in annual operating costs.
The locations at risk were the Oak Lawn Branch, the Skyline Branch in the Buckner Terrace neighborhood, the Renner Frankford Branch in Far North Dallas and the Arcadia Park Branch in West Dallas.
Council member Chad West said at the meeting the city is looking at about a $5.4 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
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“Shame on us if we can’t find the $2 million the [library] department needs to keep operating,” West said.
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A recent survey conducted by Friends of the Dallas Public Library in partnership with the Dallas Public Library showed Dallas residents rely heavily on neighborhood libraries and overwhelmingly support increasing funding rather than closing branches.
The regional model
City staffers said the regional model was designed to streamline operations across the Dallas Public Library system. The model would create a network anchored by flagship facilities that would offer enhanced services and would be open seven days a week.
All committee members agreed on the flagship model and supported keeping all neighborhood library branches open.
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Under the regional model, the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library would continue to serve as the system’s primary anchor.
Five flagship libraries in the first year would be designed to operate as regional hubs, open seven days a week with service in the evening hours.
Programming, like adult learning, GED, citizenship classes and English language learning, would be centered at the flagships.
Library Director, Manya Shorr speaks about the reshaping the Dallas Public Library system to city council members at Dallas City Hall, Monday, April 20, 2026.
Steve Nurenberg/The Dallas Morning News
The Bachman Lake Branch, Vickery Park Branch, Fretz Park Branch, Hampton-Illinois Branch and Pleasant Grove would serve as the regional hubs.
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“Dallas deserves flagship locations that are open when residents need them,” Shorr said.
The new proposal
Shorr said her team will explore different revenue sources and reductions in hours and staff to help the library department continue operating all branches and expand into a regional model.
Several council members suggested Shorr look into partnerships to generate revenue, such as naming rights, coffee shops, passport offices and other sources.
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The Dallas Public Library system employs about 400 employees. The department, funded through the general fund, has a budget of about $43 million and $400,000 in revenue.
Early this year, the former Skillman Southwestern Library Branch building was auctioned off for $3.3 million. City Council policy states that the proceeds from the sale of surplus property should go to the general capital reserve for deferred maintenance, according to Jack Ireland, Dallas’ chief financial officer.
Dallas City Council member Chad West talks about the reshaping the Dallas Public Library system at Dallas City Hall, Monday, April 20, 2026.
Steve Nurenberg/The Dallas Morning News
Council member Adam Bazaldua asked whether the council could override or change this policy for this specific situation to help the library department avoid branch closures and layoffs. Ireland said yes, but the change would need a full council vote.
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Multiple council members said they were open to exploring this idea and continuing to look into ways to support the library system.
Council member Bill Roth said there is no absolute reason to cut the library budget. He said he would champion the library’s director in finding the $2.6 million budget shortfall to save the libraries.
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Denise McGovern, the executive director of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library, said it was very encouraging to see support from the committee members for keeping all branches open. She said Dallas residents deserve well-funded libraries and was glad the city was considering options to fund them.
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“This is not done until it’s done,” said McGovern. “We, the friends and residents, will continue to show up at city meetings, budget town halls and write emails to our council members to show our support for libraries.”
The City Council has the final vote on how much money goes into the library department, with a deadline in September when the budget gets approved.