Storm Damage Forces Indefinite Closure of Beloved Kleberg-Rylie Library
The Kleberg-Rylie library branch has been closed indefinitely after sustaining storm damage. Here’s what you need to know.
The Kleberg-Rylie branch of the Dallas Public Library system has been closed indefinitely following last week’s storm. Dallas Library’s Director, Manya Shorr, told WFAA that freezing temperatures in the building led to something bursting in its mechanical room. As a result, the entire library was flooded with water. “We had somewhere between one to two inches of standing water, and we’re not sure for exactly how long because we were closed,” she said.
Shorr added, “I know that the facilities department has already had multiple people look at it. They’ve removed the water. We’ve taken the collection out, the book collection. We’re waiting on an assessment from them to let us know. We know it’s going to be an extended closure.” Lorie Blair, a City Councilwoman for District 8, similarly reassured residents that the branch would not be permanently closed despite its damage and a potential $2.6 million library budget cut. “There is no thought of keeping it closed. The talk is how soon can we get it repaired?”
She mentioned that the city is currently determining how it’ll cover the cost of Kleberg-Rylie’s repairs. “Until we’re able to do a complete evaluation and a complete cost, it will then come through city council,” Blair said. The City Councilwoman also noted that the branch had not previously been considered for permanent closure. As we reported on January 20, four branches of the Dallas Public Library could potentially close as part of a new “regional model” proposal—North Dallas’s Renner Frankford, East Dallas’s Skyline, West Dallas’s Arcadia Park, and the Oak Lawn branch located on Cedar Springs.
Despite these reassurances, residents aren’t fully convinced by the city council’s promises, especially in the wake of alleged inaction on infrastructure.
Despite reassurances, residents are concerned about the library’s future
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The President of Kleberg-Rylie’s Neighborhood Association, David Carranza, spoke to WFAA about how important it is to work toward repairing and reopening the library. “We’re very lucky to have a library of the quality that we have here, but it is severely needed — Some of the kids, you know, who are waiting for their parents, they have a safe place to come,” he told the outlet. Carranza added, “This is very important to us, and we want to make sure that we have a library in this area.”
However, he, along with several other members of the community, feels the city isn’t being entirely honest about the library’s damage. Yes, weather-related issues ultimately caused the flooding, but locals have long been advocating for better building infrastructure to prevent problems like this from occurring in the first place. As Carranza clearly put it, “The department that takes care of the buildings isn’t taking care of the buildings. They’re not being proactive.” An Instagram account for the Kleberg-Rylie Neighborhood Association didn’t mince words when it came to outlining the ongoing issue: “This definitely did not happen overnight as many speculate —and it did not happen without warning. For YEARS, residents and community advocates raised concerns in meetings about serious infrastructure issues throughout the area. Look how long it took for them to fix our gym. Those same concerns were voiced clearly, repeatedly, and on the record. Unfortunately, they were not addressed. Now, our community is paying the price.”
The post went on to note that, “The closure of our library is not just an inconvenience; it is the result of a systemic failure to invest in and maintain critical public infrastructure in Kleberg–Rylie! Our library was a lifeline—for students, families, seniors, and neighbors who rely on it for education, resources, and connection. We must stand firm: our community deserves better. We deserve to be heard before closures happen, not after damage is done.”
The Neighborhood Association rounded out its social post by saying that it will advocate for long-term solutions, accountability, and transparency from the city, and by encouraging residents to contact Lorie Blair directly at lorie.blair@dallas.gov to voice their support for the library’s swift reopening.
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