A new budget proposal could see a reduction in Dallas Public Library branch hours and potential layoffs. Here’s what you need to know.
Public libraries in Dallas have been on unsteady ground for most of 2026. Potential restructuring would have seen the closure of four branches had the proposal not been rejected, and though that loss has been avoided, another may be on the horizon for employees of the Dallas Public Library.
According to KERA News, a new budget proposal includes a relatively large staffing cut of around 70 positions and a reduced schedule for all Dallas branches to combat a shortfall in city budgeting. The Dallas Public Library was previously instructed in 2025 to reduce its spending by around $2.6 million to aid in this effort. If the budget cuts are approved, the library would see a $1.9 million reduction in its General Fund spending.
For those who work at or frequently visit these libraries, the key issue with the proposal is that city officials apparently fail to see the importance of having a free, publicly accessible place where members of the community can learn, connect, and grow.
The executive director of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Denise McGovern, said “The role of a library is to provide connection to its residents, to information, opportunity, programming, literacy, learning. That’s what they do.” Bringing additional funds to the library instead of pushing through cuts that would see a reduction in staff and hours of operation would create a more positive impact on residents.
As McGovern put it, “It’s different across a lot of different neighborhoods, what the actual role that the library plays, but it plays one. And so it really is that bringing back this money is going to bring back more hours and more opportunity, which is just going to strengthen Dallas in general.”
A $2.8 million anonymous donation was sent to the Dallas Public Library in recent months to be put toward the network’s buildings. While it’s a generous step in the right direction, it’s hard to tell how the pieces will fit together if these cuts ultimately get approved.
Here’s what would change if the budget cuts are approved
The city’s proposal would lay off 72 positions in total across the Dallas Public Library network, including 35 employees from the library itself. All branches would remain open, which is another win for library patrons, but most would be closed on Sundays and Mondays moving forward. The only five locations that would continue operating seven days a week would be Bachman Lake, Fretz Park, Vickery Park, Pleasant Grove, and Hampton-Illinois.
In addition to these changes, the library’s Adult Learning Program would be removed completely, though it would still be available through a local partnership, but exact details on how that would work remain unclear. Around eight full-time positions at the library could be changed to 16 part-time roles in 2027-2028, and an Arcadia Park Branch Library restructure (including layoffs and reduced hours) could also take place during the upcoming fiscal year.
Denise McGovern told FOX 4 that there’s a sense of relief over keeping all of the library branches open, but this latest proposal is bringing unexpected shifts and changes. “Keeping all the libraries open is great. And it shows that the city listened to the residents and in saying that it wanted to keep all of its branches [open]. But the $3.3 million cut is higher than what was expected,” she said.
McGovern added, “There’s so many ways that the library benefits the city in information and opportunity and connection. And so, when the doors are closed and it’s not available to people, it just really cuts that off.”
Town hall meetings to discuss the city’s proposed budget, including potential library cuts, began on Tuesday. If you’d like to participate and make your voice heard, click here to access the City of Dallas website to search for the town/city hall schedule in your district. An official budget vote will take place on September 16.
