Dallas residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on the City’s FY 2026–27 budget when District 14 Council Member Paul Ridley hosts a Budget Town Hall at Oak Lawn Library.
The meeting comes as City Council continues discussions about library funding, neighborhood branches, and the regional library model that earlier this year recommended closing Oak Lawn Library along with Arcadia Park, Skyline, and Renner Frankford. Dallas Public Library’s proposal would have shifted resources toward a network of flagship libraries with expanded staffing, programming, and operating hours. (City Presentation)
Oak Lawn Library ultimately remained open after significant community response, but the budget questions that sparked the debate remain unresolved. Dallas Public Library reported spending approximately $32.77 per resident, below the $38.74 median of comparable library systems, while also maintaining more branches than many peer cities.
The discussion has also raised questions about how Dallas evaluates neighborhood libraries. As explored in our data analysis, Oak Lawn was identified as the system’s second-most-visited branch and has continued to post strong circulation numbers despite being recommended for closure.
Residents interested in library funding, neighborhood branches, the proposed flagship model, or the future of Oak Lawn Library can address those issues directly with city leaders during the meeting.
For additional background, readers may wish to review CSMA’s ongoing coverage of the Save the Books campaign, our review of Oak Lawn Library usage data, and our analysis of Dallas Public Library leadership and the regional model.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Oak Lawn Branch Library
4100 Cedar Springs Road
Dallas, TX 75219
Host: Council Member Paul E. Ridley
Admission: Free