Dallas Might Be One Of Few Cities To Regulate Its 'Little Free Libraries' If Council OKs Proposal

Five stories that have North Texas talking: Parking spots in downtown Dallas will turn into tiny parks today; a 1950s abode in Dallas is going for a mere $665,000; Fort Worth Symphony cancels more concerts amid musicians' strike; and more.

Dallas has several things on its plate right now — city officials are leaving for one reason or another; child poverty is the highest here among the top 10 major cities; and stray dogs are still roaming aroundthe southern sector. But, of all things, the city might soon pass regulations on dozens of its "Little Free Libraries."

The community book exchanges have been alive and well in Dallas for years. But, three anonymous complaints last November pushed city council to take action, The Dallas Morning News reports. On Monday, city council's Quality of Life committee approved a proposal that would limit the size and location of libraries to no taller than 5 feet, no wider than 20 inches and no deeper than 18 inches, according to the Dallas Advocate. And, they must be at least 10 feet away from neighboring property lines.

If the full council OKs the proposal next month, Dallas would be one of the few U.S. cities to regulate the libraries, the Morning News reports. [Dallas Advocate, The Dallas Morning News]

• Dallas is one of 160 participating in Park(ing) Day today. For the occasion, several parking spots on Main Street will be converted to small parks. GuideLive reports: “Main Street's metered parking spots from Field and Harwood will close from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the spots between Crowdus and Pryor will close from 6 p.m. to midnight to allow artists, designers and residents the chance to shine some new light in the area.” This will be Dallas’ sixth time participating in the international event. [GuideLive]

• A mid-century home in the Disney streets neighborhood of northwest Dallas is as expensive as it is beautiful. Designed by architect Gordon Nichols, the 1954 Smith House on Pinocchio Street went on the market last week for $665,000. Curbed says the house “retains charming original features like a central brick fireplace, kitchen cabinetry and Formica counters, pink and teal bathrooms, and more.” At least, looking at the listing pictures is free. [Curbed]

• A Fort Worth elementary teacher has finally settled her dispute with her former partner in the business that published “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Five years after the book was published, Jennifer Pedroza of Fort Worth is settling out-of-court with Amanda Hayward. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports: “In 2014, Pedroza sued Hayward, her partner in an e-publishing business that originally produced Fifty Shades of Grey, saying she had been defrauded out of royalties that the novel and its two sequels had earned since it was released in 2011.” Court records show Pedroza is getting at least $1.7 million — most of it from the last royalty payment from Random House. [Fort Worth Star-Telegram]

• Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra canceled its concerts through Sept. 25 because of the musicians’ strike. Musicians called a strike last week after contract negotiations between the orchestra and the musicians had been stalled for months. The cancelled concerts include ‘The Music of David Bowie,’ scheduled to be performed Saturday, Sept. 24 at Bass Performance Hall, and a community concert, scheduled to be performed Sunday, Sept. 25 at Arborlawn United Methodist Church, Art&Seek reports. No other concerts are affected so far. [Art&Seek]