Support Dallas Public Library Budget

The proposed budget cuts of just under $5 million are a mere 0.02% of the overall general fund budget and a 0.0009% of the total budget, but represents a devastating loss to our library system of five branches. These branches will be closed throughout the City, destroying our library system as we know it.

This budget season was a referendum on public safety. Closing library branches and underfunding libraries make our City less safe. A study conducted of libraries in Kansas City, MO found, “Our results show that public libraries may reduce crime within its nearby proximity; in particular, we find within the nearby proximity of the library; there is a substantial reduction in frequency of burglaries, vandalism, robberies, fraud, and assaults.”

Yes! Libraries are drivers of economic development and growth. A 2022 Brookings Institute study found that cities that invested in quality-of-life amenities like libraries, parks and arts experienced higher population and employment growth.

Dallas has historically underfunded libraries. Of our nine peer cities, Dallas ranks 6/9 in spending per capita at just $28.90/resident, whereas our highest per capita spending peers $67.29/resident in Austin and $55.28/resident in Detroit. Dallas residents deserve better.

In summary, if we want a wonderful city for our residents to live in, to attract new families and workers, and to create a culturally rich, vibrant community, we must invest in our libraries and we must do it now. This costs the city little but creates incredible gains for our community.