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Reimagining the Dallas Public Library
What is a Flagship Library?
Dallas Public Library is exploring new service models to address budget challenges while protecting long-term access to library services across the city. The current proposal is a Flagship Model that would establish five flagship library locations with expanded hours and services, while neighborhood branches continue to operate with adjusted hours.
Under this model, these five locations would be open seven days a week, with extended hours in the evenings and weekends, and increased services and programming. Neighborhood libraries would continue to provide core services.
The proposed flagship locations include Vickery Park (already a successful flagship), Hampton-Illinois, Fretz Park, Pleasant Grove and Bachman Lake Branches. These branches were selected for their proximity to major intersections, their large square footage and their geographic diversity.
Under this model:
87% of Dallas residents will be within a 15-minute drive of an open library every day of the week. Many will remain even closer to a neighborhood library.
Programs and services will be available daily, providing more consistent access for residents seeking library resources
Neighborhood branch libraries will continue to provide core services.
The Central Library is not part of the Flagship Model and will continue to serve the city with its unique and specialized collections and services. Additional Flagship Libraries could be added in future years.
View the presentation given to the Quality of Life, Arts and Culture City Council Meeting on April 20, 2026.
How did we get here?
September 2025
During the budget process in August/September 2025, the library was asked to find savings of $2.6 Million for FY27. A regional plan that included closing four branch libraries was proposed and approved as part of Dallas City Council’s two-year budget adoption in 2025.
January 2026
Library staff worked with Office of Data Analytics and Business Intelligence to analyze community need, library usage and library coverage to identify the branches to recommend for closure. Read how the data was analyzed.
The Regional Model was presented to the Quality of Life, Arts and Culture Committee on January 20. View the presentation Council Members asked the Library to prepare a follow-up presentation with more information on the community significance of the branches and alternatives to the regional model.
Survey Results
Based on the Quality of Life, Arts, and Culture Committee’s January feedback, the Library sought community input through a survey conducted by the Friends of the Dallas Public Library. The survey was conducted over two weeks in February 2026. The survey received over 4,000 respondents. The link below shows those results.
With increased budget pressure projected for fiscal year 2027, Dallas Public Library has reached a tipping point. Continuing under the current model with a reduced budget would require even deeper cuts to hours, staffing and services across the entire system. A regional model stabilizes library service across the City and positions Dallas Public Library for the future. The regional plan was approved as part of the Dallas City Council’s two-year budget adoption in 2025.
April 2026
At the Quality of Life, Art and Culture City Council Committee Meeting on April 20, Dallas Public Library presented three proposed service models: the flagship model, the regional model or maintaining its current model. The committee was in favor of the Flagship Model and keeping all branches open. This feedback will be incorporated as the City Manager prepares the FY27 budget to be presented in August.