La Crosse Public Library
800 Main Street
La Crosse WI 54601
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin
Meeting Minutes
Library Board
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
5:00 PM
La Crosse Public Library
Auditorium (Lower Level)
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Call to Order
The Vice Chair, Kathy Ivey, called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Kathy Ivey, Sue Anglehart, Aaron Engel, Jess Thill, Araysa Simpson,
Rosanne Northwood (joined at 5:13 p.m.)
ABSENT: Mac Kiel, Erin Raymus
STAFF: Dawn Wacek, Daniel Whitmore, Brooke Newberry, Cynthia Arauz, Amber
Leibundgut-Peterson, Miranda Greeno
Agenda Items:
Staff Vacation Schedule Comparison
1
When comparing the City and Library vacation schedules, the City surpasses the
Library in vacation time once employees reach the 15-year mark. Director Wacek
spoke with the City’s Director of Human Resources Rebecca Franzen regarding what
adoption of the City’s vacation schedule would look like for the Library.
Adopting the City schedule, while grandfathering current Staff, would simplify
understanding for LPL employees as well as for HR and Payroll and would provide
equity among non-represented Staff at both the City and Library. New hires would fall
under the new policy and vacation schedule. The recommendation is to adopt the
City’s vacation schedule.
Fund Balance Priorities
2
The Library is significantly under budget for 2025. This is due to three unfilled
full-time positions, the purchase of fewer materials because of construction and
limited space, and utilities costs being much lower than anticipated. While a final
number is not yet available, LPL currently expects a fund balance of several hundred
thousand dollars.
The Board was presented with three priority lists:
Level 1: feasibility study, electrical panel, catalog furniture stations, drop box and
lockers, staff office spaces to align with the new second-floor staff area, and updates
to all-ages play activities