The membership encourages 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 meets the needs of the library.

Friend's Membership Form & Brochure

For a full history of the Friends read this article by our archives staff.

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 the membership and the community held the first weekend in May and the first weekend in November. Extra one-day book sales are scheduled as needed. Watch the Friends’ Newsletter for details.
• The Bookshop, founded in 1996, located at the south entrance of the Main Library, which provides for the ongoing sale of quality donated materials. Phone number is 608/789-7149. (Use this number for any Friends' business.)
• Funding for non-budgeted library needs such as equipment, special materials, book discussion groups, library programs,Youth Services programs, and staff development.
• Hospitality needs for Friends’ meetings, library functions, and library staff events.
• Publication of the Friends’ Newsletter. The newsletter is a benefit of membership
• Assistance in maintaining reading materials for various care centers,shelters, free food centers, jail programs, etc.

Assists in the sales which are held semi-annually the first weekend in May and the first weekend in November. Special one-day book sales are held periodically. All sale dates are listed in the Friends’ Newsletter. Volunteers are always welcome. Stop in the Bookshop or call 608/789-7149 for more information.

Book sales 2013:  Sat., Feb. 23, 9-1; Fri., May 3, 6-8 p.m. (for members only) & Sat., May 4, 9-1; Sat., Aug. 24, 9-1. , Fri., Nov 1, 6-8 p.m. (for members only) & Sat., Nov. 3, 9-1.    Bookshop prices are 1/2 on booksale dates.

Bookshop hours: Monday 4-8 pm Tuesday 11-3 pm Wednesday 11-3 pm Thursday 11-5 pm Friday 1-5 pm Saturday 11-5 pm Sunday 1-5 pm

Updated 01/2013