La Crosse Public Library  
800 Main Street  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
La Crosse WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
Library Board  
Tuesday, December 9, 2025  
5:00 PM  
La Crosse Public Library  
Auditorium (Lower Level)  
Call to Order  
The Chair, Sue Anglehart, called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.  
PRESENT: Sue Anglehart, Jess Thill, Aaron Engel, Kathy Ivey, Araysa Simpson,  
Rosanne Northwood, Erin Raymus, Mac Kiel  
ABSENT:  
STAFF: Dawn Wacek, Cynthia Arauz, Brooke Newberry, Amber Leibundgut-Peterson,  
Miranda Greeno  
Agenda Items:  
Approval of Minutes from Regular Board Meeting – November 11, 2025  
1
2
Motion to approve the minutes from the regular Board meeting of November  
11, 2025.  
(Aaron Engel/Kathy Ivey) Carried  
Approval of Minutes from Committee of the Whole – December 2, 2025  
Motion to approve the minutes from the Committee of the Whole meeting of  
December 2, 2025.  
(Aaron Engel/Kathy Ivey) Carried  
Approval of Bills & Financial Reports – November 2025  
3
4
Motion to approve the bills and financial reports from November 2025.  
(Aaron Engel/Kathy Ivey) Carried  
Reports  
4.1 Director’s Report  
4.11 Vacancy Report  
LPL currently has one full-time Associate position and one part-time Assistant  
position open. Director Wacek shared that the current plan is to fill the full-time  
Associate position internally and to externally post three part-time Assistant  
positions after January 1—the one currently open position, as well as two  
additional.  
Looking ahead, each position will be assessed as it becomes vacant to determine  
whether it should be split into two part-time roles or converted from a full-time to a  
part-time position. Comparable libraries are being reviewed and consulted as part  
of this assessment. A 50:50 full-time to part-time staffing ratio through attrition is  
the long-term goal. The focus is on protecting current positions as much as  
possible while planning ahead and structuring staffing in anticipation of future  
budget challenges or cuts. This information was shared at December’s all-staff  
meeting.  
4.12 Operations and Services – Staff Updates  
Staff met on December 4 for an all-staff meeting. Discussion topics included the  
current budget, potential future changes, and Staff survey results. The survey  
results were used as an opportunity for reflection on Staff feedback and to identify  
areas for organizational improvement.  
As there is no monetary or policy component involved in selecting the mural color  
palette, a formal vote was not required. Consensus was reached in favor of mural  
color palette option 2. Members of the Art Board and Staff who were consulted also  
preferred option 2.  
4.13 Construction Update  
LPL is nearing the final stages of construction. The final total cost for the electrical  
panel is still pending. Ms. Wacek shared that she is confident the cost will be  
covered by remaining contingency funds and any 2026 carryover. City Finance  
Director Chadwick Hawkins confirmed that, if needed, assistance would be  
provided to cover any remaining costs.  
Over the next few weeks, the construction crew will complete bathroom partitions  
and accessories, install a new wall in the computer area, and finish flooring and  
other final finishes.  
It was discovered that change orders should have also been submitted to the  
Board of Public Works. As a result, all ten change orders will be presented at the  
next Board of Public Works meeting, along with any future change orders.  
This was an unintentional oversight and will be corrected moving forward.  
Old Business  
5
5.1 2026 Main Street Library Hours  
Overall, Staff preferred option 1, which reduces Main Street Library weekly open hours  
by four hours by closing on Sundays.  
Motion to approve 2026 Main Street Library hours, option 1.  
(Aaron Engel/Erin Raymus) Carried  
5.2 2026 North Community Library Hours  
Overall, Staff preferred option 1, which reduces North Community Library weekly open  
hours by 12 hours by operating from 2:00–6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.  
Motion to approve 2026 North Community Library hours, option 1.  
(Aaron Engel/Kathy Ivey) Carried  
5.3 North Community Library Closure Date  
Motion to approve North Community Library closure date of June 18.  
(Erin Raymus/Aaron Engel) Carried. Obtentions: 1 (Araysa Simpson)  
5.4 Approval of 2026 Library Operating Budget  
Director Wacek confirmed with City Finance that the figures and calculations in the  
2026 Library Operating Budget aligned with City records. The Board reviewed the  
budget and specific line items.  
Motion to approve the final version of the 2026 Library Operating Budget.  
(Aaron Engel/Kathy Ivey) Carried  
New Business  
6
6.1 Feasibility Study Update – Proposals  
A small feasibility study team was formed, consisting of Ms. Wacek, Business  
Services Supervisor Amber Leibundgut-Peterson, Board President Sue Anglehart,  
Board member Jess Thill, and a Friends of the Library member. The team met to  
review and discuss the four proposals received in response to the request. References  
are currently being contacted. A recommendation will be brought to the Board, and  
proposals will be distributed to Board members in advance for review.  
Topics for Future Meetings  
7
7.1 By-laws Review  
7.2 Inclusive Holiday Closures Discussion  
7.3 Board Education  
7.4 Capital Improvement  
7.5 2026 City Handbook Updates for Adoption  
7.6 Position Changes – 1 Full-time Associate to 2 Part-time Assistants and 1 Full-time  
Assistant 2 to 2 Part-time Assistants  
7.7 Approval of End of Fiscal Year Special Trustees Reimbursements  
7.8 Approval of Vendor Selection – Feasibility Study  
Public Comment / Other  
8
Adjournment at 5:43 p.m.  
Motion to adjourn.  
(Aaron Engel/Erin Raymus) Carried