Donation of Books and Other Materials for the General Collection.  All donations shall meet the same selection criteria as purchased materials as stated in our materials selection policy.  Any book donations that are not needed for the library collection will be turned over to our Friends group where they will become part of the book sale fund-raisers.  (Cautionary note: because of lack of demand and need, the library discourages donations of used text books, National Geographic magazines and Reader's Digest condensed books.)

Materials Relating to Local History and/or Genealogy.  Do you have documents or other materials that relate to the history of La Crosse or the surrounding areas? Then consider donating them the the La Crosse Public Library Archives, where they will be preserved and made available to the public and future researchers.  For questions regarding the Archives collection and services, please call the Archives desk at (608) 789-7136 during library operating hours.

Monetary Donations: The citizens of La Crosse are very generous in their support of their library system. Many people and businesses have decided to go beyond their annual tax contribution and provide direct financial support to the library. They are recognized on the Wall of Honor located in the south foyer of the Main library.  Contributions of $1000 receive a silver plaque; those who reach $10,000 or more receive a gold plaque.

We welcome all levels of monetary donations. If you have questions about financially contributing to La Crosse Public Library, or wish to be placed on our fund-raising mailing list, please contact Kelly Krieg-Sigman, library director, at (608) 789-7123.

Bequests: Several benefactors have decided to provide long term support to the La Crosse Public Library, beyond the end of their life. By remembering the library in your will through a bequest or a foundation, you will help to insure that the La Crosse Public Library will continue to serve future generations. If you have questions, again please contact Kelly Krieg-Sigman, library director, at (608) 789-7123.

GIVE-A-GIFT - our signature fund-raising event.  Begun in 2003, the library holds an annual fund-raising event in November called "Give-A-Gift."  The premise is simple:  approximately $10,000 of new books on all subjects and at all reading levels are put on display at the Main library. Refreshments are served, and from 4-7 p.m. anyone from the community is welcome to peruse the items, then purchase as many as they would like to be added to the library's collections.  Each item purchased is accompanied by a special bookplate at the front of the book inscribed according to the donor's wishes.  It has proven to be an excellent way to honor a relative or recognize a special event or person.  Since its inception, this event has put over $100,000 worth of new materials on the library shelves. If you would like to receive an invitation, please contact Hayden Hauser, administrative assistant, at (608) 789-7143.

Volunteer Opportunities Await You At La Crosse Public Libraries  If you are interested in being a general volunteer at the Main or Community Libraries please contact Myrna Paulson, Volunteer Manager at (608) 789-7125 or email  her at m.paulson@lacrosse.lib.wi.us.

Opportunities available include:

• Home delivery service
• Verifying of items - detail work
• Providing assistance during the Children's/Teen summer reading programs
• Cleaning audios and CDs
• Assisting with craft projects
• Staffing phones during tax times for AARP
• Working our special events such as Give-A-Gift, Love My Library, Nightmare on Kane Street and many others
• Helping with inside/outside maintenance work

Volunteer Sign Up Brochure

Friends of the Library offers several fun ways to become involved with materials that have been pulled from circulation at the library and are used to generate additional funds that support many of the programs at the library. Volunteers are needed both for the Friends bookstore and the semi-annual booksales.  Learn more...