Friends of the Library

Friends encourage the use of the Library as a center for the educational and cultural life of the community, by emphasizing the following goals:   

• To foster closer relations between the library and the citizens of La Crosse by focusing public attention on library services, facilities, resources and needs.
• To assist in making funds available for special needs beyond the library budget.
• To influence the gifts of books and other materials, desirable collections, endowments, and bequests to the library through ways approved by the La Crosse  Library Board of Trustees.
• To encourage participation of volunteers in all the activities that meet the needs of the library.

Download our brochure and become a member!

To contact the Friends, call the First Floor Book Shop: 608-789-7149.

The Friends' board meets ten times a year to maintain and execute the established goals, providing for the needs of the La Crosse Public LIbrary in the future. Activities of the Friends include:

• Book sales for members and the public are held regularly and listed on the events calendar. Volunteers are essential to these popular sales. Stop in the Bookshop, or call to volunteer: 608-789-7149.
• The Bookshop is located at the south entrance of the Main library and provides for the ongoing sale of quality donated materials. The Friends also have a small selection at the North and South branches of the library.
• Funding for non-budgeted library needs such as equipment, materials, library programs, and staff development.
• Hospitality needs for Friends' meetings, library functions and staff events.
• Publication of the Friends' newsletter.

The Friends support numerous programs including:

• Children's programming (98%!)

Come join us Mondays in July 9:00am-12:00pm for the Friends of the La Crosse Public Library book sale in the lower level book room. 

Friday, October 21st, we will host a members only sale from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, October 22, a community sale for all will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All items $1.00 or less with all proceeds going to support the La Crosse Public Library. 

Beginning July 5, the Friends of the La Crosse Public Library 1st floor Bookstore will be open:

Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri from 10am - 4pm

Wed from 12-6,

Saturday 10-12 and Sundays 2-4. 

Based on volunteer availability, additional hours may be offered.

Mary Ellen Stolder, President     
Wendy Butler, Vice-President
Kris Betz, Acting Treasurer
Ann Keuper, Secretary
Susan Austin
Margaret Fleming
Mike Hanson
Karen Hillary
Beth Sciborski
Nancy Solberg
Marge Weiske 

The library welcomes donations of gently used books and other select materials to be sold at our Friends of the Library Book sales. Please review our donation form for donating used items before bringing materials in. We cannot accept materials that are moldy, damaged, dirty, or in a condition that would present a health risk to staff and volunteers. 

Did you know that you can shop at AmazonSmile and support the Friends of the Library this holiday season? When you shop AmazonSmile, 0.5% of your purchase is donated to the charity of your choice. You can designate the La Crosse Public Library as your chosen charity.

• Go to smile.amazon.com and log in to your Amazon account.
• In the "pick your own charitable organization," box, type Friends of the La Crosse Public Library and click "search."
• On the next screen, click the "Select" button next to Friends of the La Crosse Public LIbrary and continue to shop.