Two Wichita branch libraries that had been set to close in the coming years are safe for now.
Mayor Jeff Longwell announced Thursday that, in a reversal from an earlier budget recommendation presented to the City Council, Linwood and Evergreen branch libraries will be fully funded, as will CityArts. The city had been considering partnering with a third-party organization to operate the downtown art gallery and studio space.
"We don't intend to shut down those quality-of-life opportunities in the 2019 budget season," he said.