Library Friends,
This past weekend, the Dallas City Manager released his proposed 2022-23 budget for the City of Dallas, and there is some good news for our library.
The proposed budget would provide about a 3% increase to the library's budget, all of which would be used to add 30 new staff positions allowing for 9 branch libraries to increase hours of operation to 54 hours per week from the current 40 hours.
On a less positive note, the budget includes a slight decrease in the materials budget from last year which will impact the library’s ability to replace aging books, purchase new books, or expand digital offerings to City of Dallas residents.
Overall it’s a good budget for our library system with no cuts in needed services or programs.
TOWN HALL BUDGET MEETINGS
Dallas City Council members will host 35 town hall meetings to receive public comments on the proposed City of Dallas 2022-23 budget. The Town Hall meetings start this Thursday and run through August 25th. Most of these meetings will be in person. Our goal is to have representation at every meeting with people speaking up in favor of more resources going to our library system.
Find the list of all the meetings here, and find recommended talking points are in the .pdf below. Follow this link to our online sign up and let us know which meetings you'll be attending.
It is important that our voices be heard in support of the proposed budget for the Dallas Public Library. As usual, Council members, looking to increase funding for programs may look to cut in other areas. Library funding is always vulnerable. The need in Dallas is vast and the pandemic continues to affect many in our community who depend on the Dallas Public Library. If our library doesn't have the resources it needs, the impact will be on those with the greatest need.
About Friends of the Dallas Public Library
For 72 years, Friends board members, staff, and volunteers have worked closely with elected officials and city staff to ensure that the Dallas Public Library has what it needs to meet the needs of our community.
These efforts have resulted in millions of dollars in investment across our 30 library branches.
The Friends remains committed to continuing our own effort to surround the library staff and Dallas residents with the services and resources they need through our own private fundraising efforts, and we seek to be a good partner to the library and to the City of Dallas.
214-670-1458