La Crosse Public Library  
800 Main Street  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
La Crosse WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
Library Board  
Tuesday, September 13, 2022  
5:00 PM  
La Crosse Main Library  
Auditorium (Lower Level)  
Agenda  
1. Call to Order  
PRESENT:  
Sue Anglehart, Mac Kiel, Bryan Morris, Ross Seymour, Araysa Simpson, Jess Thill  
ABSENT:  
Katie Bittner, Aaron Engel, Kathy Ivey  
The Chair, Ms. Anglehart, called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.  
2. Jail Outreach & Instruction Presentation  
Members of the Access & Engagement team, Emily Mootz and Kamryn Hartfield,  
along with their manager Barry McKnight, spoke about the Library’s efforts to expand  
jail outreach beyond providing books by partnering with Project Proven. This  
partnership allows the Library to enhance existing relations through Western Technical  
College by creating curriculum and teaching classes to help with literacy and writing.  
3. Approval of Minutes  
Motion to approve the minutes of August 9, 2022.  
(Araysa Simpson / Bryan Morris) Carried  
4. Approval of Committee of the Whole Minutes  
Motion to approve the Committee of the Whole minutes of September 6, 2022.  
(Bryan Morris / Jess Thill) Carried  
5. Approval of Bills & Financial Reports  
Motion to approve the bills and financial reports for August 2022.  
(Ross Seymour / Bryan Morris) Carried  
6. Reports  
6.1 Director’s Report  
6.11 Vacancy Report / New Hire Updates  
A resignation was received from Bryan Pedretti on the custodial team; that position is  
in the process of being filled.  
Youth Services Librarian Dustin Karls started yesterday, filling Abby Van Arx’s former  
position.  
6.12 Facilities Updates  
Ms. Grant and Russ McClintock are working with ISG Inc. on visualizing future  
improvements for Main Hall and South Community Library. The six-month project  
timeline includes: Space Use Assessment, Options Development & Budgeting,  
Visualization (renderings of proposed improvements) and Stakeholder & Community  
Engagement. This effort is funded through the capital improvement budget. The team  
will present at a future Board meeting.  
Work continues on ordering and installing acoustic panels in Main Hall; anything done  
at this point will be able to be utilized in future designs.  
The Library was closed unexpectedly on September 8 when a power utility line was  
severed. Once power was restored, it was discovered that the Library’s cooling was  
damaged by the outage. A temporary fix is in place while new parts are on order.  
Facilities Manager Russ McClintock is pursing reimbursement for the damage done to  
the cooling system, estimated to be at least $6,400.  
6.13 Programming Updates  
The Creation Space in the lower level opened with regular lab hours. The space  
includes 3D printers, sewing machines, a laser cutter, heat press, production room and  
more! The Board will be able to tour the space in October. The recent “No Run Fun  
Run” fundraiser was both successful and a great event for community; with proceeds  
supporting the Tool Library.  
After a brief August hiatus, Children’s programming resumed with story times, an  
after-school club at North Community Library, a Lego club, and more! Monday  
Mornings at Main resumed on September 12.  
6.14 2023 Operating Budget Process Update  
At the September 6 Board of Estimates (BOE) work session, the Library requested the  
restoration of one part-time custodial position, two part-time associates in Archives,  
and a Youth Services Librarian, totaling 2.5 FTE. There is a misperception by some in  
the community and on the City Council that all Library positions lost in 2020 have been  
restored. The BOE provided an opportunity for the Library Director to help clear up the  
misperception and to remind the community that only half of the FTE positions have  
been restored. Each time positions are restored; the Library is able to expand hours or  
services.  
6.2 Committee of the Whole Report  
6.21 Classification & Compensation Study Process  
The Board Chair reviewed the efforts by McGrath Human Resources Group in  
relationship to Library employees.  
6.22 Approval to Adopt the City-Wide Salary Schedule Proposed by  
McGrath Human Resources Group.  
Motion to approve adopting the city-wide salary schedule proposed by  
McGrath Human Resources Group.  
(Araysa Simpson / Jess Thill) Carried  
7. Old Business  
None.  
8. Public Comment / Other  
None.  
9. Topics for Future Meetings  
9.1 Creation Space Tour  
9.2 Recommendation for Strategic Plan Facilitator  
9.3 ISG Assessment of Main Hall and South Community Library Spaces  
9.4 Refresher on Procedure and Response to Challenges Regarding Library  
Programs and Materials  
10. Adjournment  
Time: 5:54 p.m.  
Motion to adjourn.  
(Araysa Simpson / Bryan Morris) Carried