Converting south library into senior center would pose a challenge

If the city of La Crosse decides to move a senior center into the South Branch Library, it could have some construction headaches as a result.

City library director Kelly Krieg Sigman would like the south-side center to be transferred to the library on 16th St.

She did, however, warn a senior center committee that the 1950s library building was put together with special construction tiles designed to last for decades.

“As it sits, if you we’re gonna knock down a wall or expand it, there would be some real considerations, because it is very inflexible even as it stands,” she said.

And then there’s the bookshelves.

“It’s beautiful wood shelving but it’s built in and cannot be moved,” she continued. “When this building was built, it was made very clear where books were going to be.”

She did welcome the possibility of sharing library space with a senior center.

The study committee has not made a final recommendation on moving La Crosse’s two senior centers out of their current locations but the panel is strongly leaning toward that possibility.