Dallas Public Library Budget Could be Slashed by One-Third
Drastic cuts possible in service hours, materials
Lynn Blumenstein -- Library Journal, 07/23/2009
- Library hit disproportionately
- Proposed cuts would take effect October 1
- Materials budget would plummet
Dallas Public Library (DPL) could lose one-third of its funding, a disproportionate cut, if a proposal before city council is approved. The City of Dallas must cut $190 million, or ten percent, from its $1.9 billion budget, according to the Dallas Morning News. DPL's budget would drop to just under $22 million.
"This is a very difficult and unprecedented budget for the City of Dallas," DPL assistant director of resource management Corinne Hill told LJ. If adopted, the budget cuts would be implemented beginning October 1, she said.
Drastic service, materials cuts
Hill told LJ that the news report was accurate: if the cuts are adopted, most of the 22 branches would be open less than half of current hours, an average of 23 hours a week. The central library would be closed Sundays and Mondays. The materials budget also would be slashed, amounting to about one-tenth of the current amount.
DPL would stagger hours among branches so that "most people should be able to find a library open not too far from their home or work, DPL Friends chair David Kusin told the newspaper.
DPL commitment to service
Library supporters still have time make the case for maintaining a strong library budget. No matter what happens, said Hill, "We will continue to provide excellent customer service to the citizens of Dallas. And we will remain relevant in our communities. We are bigger than our budget."
