LIBRARY ADVOCACY ALERT: DALLAS PUBLIC LIBRARY BUDGET

Library Friends,

We're sorry to report that this year's proposed City of Dallas budget calls for cuts to the library's operating budget, including the elimination of the hot spot lending program and a proposed closure of the Skillman Southwestern branch library. This comes after two years of increases to the library's budget.

This was not unexpected. Changes in state law limit the amount cities can increase their budget. That, along with the urgent need for the City of Dallas to shore up funding for the Dallas Police & Fire Pension System, led interim City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert to call for every city department to cut its budget by at least six percent (6%). Dallas Public Library has done this by submitting a proposed $2 million in cuts.

While we are disappointed that after gaining a sixteen percent (16%) increase in library funding last year – which helped restore all Dallas library branches to being open at least six (6) days a week - our library now falls backward after making small strides forward in recent years. But that is the budget reality the City of Dallas faces at the moment due to state law and the need to provide additional funding into the Dallas Police & Fire Pension System.

Friends of the Dallas Public Library is reluctantly supporting the budget proposals put forth by the Dallas Public Library for the upcoming year's operating budget. These drastic budget cuts were made with incredible thoughtfulness by the City of Dallas Library staff to ensure that all branches continue to operate 6 days a week, current staff experience almost no layoffs and the strategic placement of libraries still serves communities across the City.

Despite these cuts, the vast majority of programs and activities at our Dallas Public Library will remain in place with library staff asked to take on more responsibilities.

Here are the specifics of the proposed library budget reductions:

• Staff Reductions: DPL's proposed budget includes the reduction of 12 program positions and 3 select positions. Of those 15 proposed staff reductions, only one position is anticipated to be impacted as the other positions are currently unfilled.
• Wi-Fi Hotspot lending program eliminated as library initiative: The wi-fi hotspot lending program - initially funded by federal ARPA funds during the COVID era - had become an increasingly staff-intensive and costly service, according to the library. Seen as a temporary solution, these services are now to be scaled back and will be transferred into the City's technology department in support of the City's infrastructure equity initiative.
• Skillman Southwestern Branch Closure: This difficult decision was made by the Dallas Public Library. They believe this will preserve hours and access across the remaining branches, ensuring broad community access to library services. Services currently provided at this location will be assumed by both the larger and nearby Vickery Park and Forest Green branches. The Library will add a self-service book pickup via a vending machine for limited book browsing with a nearby partner. Additionally, in Dallas Public Library's newly adopted strategic plan, this library was identified as one that would ultimately need a new location as there is not enough space to expand either the existing building or parking. While this decision was extremely difficult, there are two larger branches within a 3-mile radius. We are deeply saddened to see this branch close but believe it was made with the best interest of all branches, services and staff in mind.