Maggie Watson holding petition form. Photo by Aysia Lane
The City’s 2024-2025 proposed budget includes a proposal to close down the Skillman Southwestern Branch library. Neighbor Maggie Watson started a petition on Monday, Aug. 12. to keep the library open. Within 72 hours, she had received 200 signatures.
As of Aug. 26. the petition has 2,580 signatures.
For Watson, a resident who primarily visits the library by bus upwards of three times a week, the branch has been a staple in her day-to-day life. She uses the branch for books, DVDs, access to computers and printers and for programming in the community.
Watson shared that the library is one of the primary reasons for staying in her neighborhood, amidst the rising cost of living.
“I’m so devastated about this,” Watson said. “I’m frustrated more than anything that there’s a lack of conversation going on about this.”
Watson said the budget’s claim that the Audelia, Vickery Park and Lakewood branches are close enough to service her neighborhood isn’t necessarily an accurate statement.
“If by ‘close by’ you mean walk across Northwest Highway in 100 degree heat with no bus service, sure it’s close by,” Watson said. “That’s not realistic.”
Watson outside of Skillman Southwestern Branch Library. Photo courtesy of Maggie Watson
Watson passes out petition flyers outside of the branch library and on the bus. She also places them on her neighbors’ doors.
Watson isn’t the only resident saddened by the news of the closure. Sue Ramirez, the president of the Skillman Southwestern Library Friends (SSLF) nonprofit organization, had no knowledge of the closure until a week before they would begin planning for their annual book sale at the branch.
The group, currently sitting at 193 members, helps support the library, through programming and funding for items and events that the City budget may not cover.
“We’ve bought them furniture pieces, we’ve bought floor mats, lunch every month to thank our staff,” Ramirez said. “Basically anything they ask for.”
By the end of the last fiscal year, the group had contributed $128,151 to the Skillman Southwestern branch.
Ramirez said that the news left a few members in tears.
Ramirez said while they may not know what will come next for their group, the money and assets from their organization will continue to benefit the Dallas public library in “one shape or form.”
